You can rest now, Maya

The sky just gained one of the Earth's brightest stars.  A writer, an activist, a professional, a speaker, a positive mind...Maya Angelou.  Thank you for shining so bright so that we could all share in your brilliance!

“I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

~Maya Angelou

Advice for life...

I love lists...

To-do lists, lists of strange things that you never thought of, lists of random information, lists of what you learn from doing different things like traveling, and lists of things to remember throughout our lives...especially when the user isn't the writer. Even more especially when the writer creates the list with specific readers in mind like a father to his daughter or a grandfather to his grandchildren.  I was once told that life is too short to make all of the mistakes on our own, that is, to say, we can learn from the mistakes or triumphs of others in order to avoid or aim our own actions, reactions, thoughts and goals.  Maybe that's why I appreciate these lists so much.  Many people that I speak to talk about a desire to know more about their parents and grandparents and great grandparents. I've never met anyone who wasn't in awe of people who live to a ripe old age. Despite some saying that we are fascinated with the fountain of youth I think we are actually more fascinated with the mortality not offered by a fountain of youth. We don't want the secrets to living to be 100, we want the key to living to old age HAPPILY.  I think that's the major bit of advice that we so genuinely desire and appreciate from our elders.  So take some time to check out this grandfather's list to his grandchildren.  He wasn't 100 years old but he had life lessons to share, as we all do.  Enjoy!

Thankful for what "I've Got"

Sometimes it's good just to take time to be thankful for what we've got!

Here's a song that reminds us just that, by Marina P of France!  

Enjoy what you've got today!

A Cardboard Sign (that doesn't get negative attention)...

So a lot of people associate cardboard signs with negative images from their memory banks, whether valid or not.  Here's an example of someone taking a piece of cardboard and his time to make the world better, just because he felt like it.  What an AWESOME human being.  I bet he has some great stories to share and wonderful memories he can now associate with cardboard signs!

I love his reason behind this project per Upworthy:

"The basic idea behind this is for others to inspire kindness. Try to be kind to other creatures of this realm. If you see someone not having a good day, maybe go over and talk to them. You could end up making their life better by that one interaction. Try talking to people you may not normally associate with. Try to understand someone if they seem upset rather then getting upset back at them. Also understand that you are not the center of everything, look outward and see what others are going through, they might be dealing with a lot more and could use a little assistance."

Well done!  You rock!  Be the change!

Coupons...pass 'em on...

To the woman at the grocery store who saw me standing in the paper goods aisle reading every price to see what the best deal was:

Thanks for handing me a coupon for $1.50 off any toilet paper purchase and saying "Here you go!"  in your little voice with a smile and then heading off down the aisle about your business.  That made my day!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all of the grads out there, as it's that time of year again and we all know how hard you've worked to get where you are right now!  Wishing you every success in your endeavors.  May you remember that education is not about learning things, it is about learning how to open our minds to more possibilities and knowledge than we knew before...realizing that even more exists still, beyond our capacity!  Never stop learning!  Enjoy your celebrations!  You deserve them!

Quotespirations 1:

Just follow the frog...

If this weren't so close to how I feel most of the time, I probably wouldn't have been so amused and relieved when they finally gave me an alternative to my normal urge to do everything they mentioned.

Follow the frog:  Save the rainforest.  

A more affective way of helping than "liking" something on social media.

A much easier way of helping the world than a brave-heart-esque uprising with the natives.

Be the change, without needing to lose your life as you know it.

Peace be with you...

Don't give peace a chance...BE PEACE and let the world give YOU a chance.

Vision of Humanity has done something beautiful.  They have begun the study of peace in this world via the World Peace Index.  It rates multiple indicators and ranks all of the countries on Earth based on those factors.  This brief video gives a quick glimpse into their idea, and into the benefits we all receive from living in a peaceful world.  Love it.  BE THE PEACE you wish to see in the world!

See more about Vision of Humanity including where YOUR country (or area) ranks on their website!

-Thanks to Nick for the find!

Passion + Good = A gift to the world

When you have a passion...it is a gift to you.  

When you use it for good, it is a gift to the world.

Some university students who have chosen to play the role of anonymous have been taking time out of their busy time as students to create and inspire using something that costs less than a dollar, and some borrowed space, temporarily.  It is a new twist on the old graffiti art, it is a breath of fresh air in some normal classrooms...it is chalkboard art and it is gracing the classrooms of Colubus College of Art and Design at the delight of students and faculty.  Thanks for sharing your passion, anonymous (if there are two, does that make them anonymouses?!)!  Take a look at their beautiful work!

WWE...not so Stone Cold.

We all have a light, and we all know people who are lights, themselves.

To people who are often known for their tough and/or fake performances, thanks.

You've shown that as people you are neither tough nor fake.

We need more of that in the world.

Don't be a monkey...

We may have evolved from monkeys but the key here is evolved. We have the capacity to control ourselves, to reason, to communicate and to know the difference between right and wrong.

While I an an animal enthusiast, one thing I am not is a person who easily accepts or gives excuses.  I hate the " man is an animal therefore he (or she) acts like a pig sometimes. No. Pigs act like pigs because they are. We don't roll in mud or live as one with nature so no, saying that when we treat one another badly is human nature is absolutely an unacceptable excuse for a lack of thought, respect, or is blatantly disrespectful or violent toward our fellow humans and our natural environment.

So when you see someone struggling, lift them up even though you're feeling dejected.  If you are climbing to the top and there are enough bananas to share with everyone and still to save for yourself, do it.  I'd almost argue that in nature, animals are often if not always more humane than humans.

Let's make a change.  Lift someone up today.  Give something to someone that can't return the favor right now.

 You never imagine how quickly tables can turn and leave you at the bottom of the ladder. Make friends with the people at the bottom and work together to get to the top.  Don't be these monkeys whose friendship and relationships and good will become tainted by the circumstances of the world.  Be the evolved version you're meant to be.  You are capable...start acting like it!  Change the world!

The technological ELEPHANT in the room.

The elephant in the room 

(when no one else is there, or worse: when they are...and we're too busy with technology to notice)

Thank Yous + Crazy Kids = ...

Since we've discussed both thank-you notes and kids saying the darndest things (on multiple occasions), here's a combination: a thank you note by a kid saying the darndest things!  

Happy Thursday!