"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. “ —Joseph Campbell
Tuesday, November 11th our country will honor Armed Forces veterans past and present. Please take a moment to share your gratitude with those who bravely protected our nations citizens and those who continue to sacrifice on our behalf. Three Nonprofit Veterans Organizations You Need to Know.
TheWarWriter'sCampaignis focused on the therapeutic release and benefits of storytelling. Ryan Weemer, a former Marine who earned a Purple Heart during the Battle of Fallujah, helped found the group after earning his degree in psychology and working as an education counselor at IAVA.(Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America)Writing has always been considered a catharsis as it serves as part of a deep healing process. Many veterans with post-traumatic stress and other psychological disorders are able to express their pain for the first time by sharing their stories which will provide a form of advocacy for improved future veterans services.
The mission right now is to promote social change surrounding veterans’ issues through written awareness,” Mr. Weemer said. (New York Times.guide-to-a-few-nonprofit-groups-providing-care-to-veterans.). Other service organizations, government and especially family members are able to truly learn and empathize with the experience of veterans by reading their work. That is the power of therapy through communication http://www.warwriterscampaign.org/
TheMissionContinuesis a nonprofit organization based in St. Louis, Missouri and founded by author and former Navy SEAL, Eric Greitens.TheMission Continues challenges military veterans to begin to serve and lead in their own communities across America by awarding community service fellowships to post 9/11 veterans. Once again they are challenged and empowered to transform their own lives by serving others and directly impacting their communities. Many veterans struggle to find the same purpose at home as they found in the military. Many veterans seek accomplishing a meaningful goal, camaraderie, security and discipline of a structured environment. TheMission Continues does not offer charity rather it challenges returning service members to utilize their hard earned skills and leadership to continue serving our country. Through service, veterans find renewed strength and purpose while building stronger communities. Their mission is fueled by a deeply respected philosophy that our veterans are assets whose leadership is needed now more than ever right here at home. https://www.missioncontinues.org/
Launched May 10, 2012, the Got Your6 campaign demonstrates a measurable impact through their work by bringing together veterans and civilians in America. GotYour6 is a collective initiative that unites the entertainment industry with veteran-oriented nonprofit organizations and federal government stakeholders.GotYour6 is starting and changing the conversation in the US to ensure that veterans and military families are perceived as leaders and civic assets returning home to re energize our own communities. The initiative hopes to accomplish these goals through an awareness building campaign, along side an activation strategy focused on six pillars of veteran reintegration: jobs, education, housing, health, family, leadership.GotYour6 in military terms means that someone is watching out, protecting you from harm. They got your back. They got your 6. Check out even more great information on their website. http://www.gotyour6.org/
“Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.” ― George Bernard Shaw
Why do we need art? What purpose does it serve? Is it obvious? Is it complicated?
Is the purpose of art to make us feel something deep inside? Should we gain insight into our own humanity? Is it is way of connecting to something greater than ourselves? "What is art for?" is a question that all cultures and nations speculate. World renowned theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein wrote in his contemplative volume "Living Philosophies",
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom the emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand wrapped in awe, is as good as dead —his eyes are closed."
Art exists in many forms because it is a primal behavior. We are born to create whether it be music, dance, haiku or inventing the Chia-Pet. We all have artistic instincts. We all have artistic talent.We need art to express who we are. We use art to tell our stories. We need art to heal ourselves and others. Art inspires us to look at the world from a different perspective. It keeps us searching. Art is unrestricted imagination. It is without labels. It allows us to uncover and discover. Art is fearless.
Not always beautiful, art can be used to express beauty depending on our aesthetic. A gorgeous sunset, the ocean, the swirl of colorful autumn leaves, the curve of a lovers lips-all natures magnificent masterpieces. Art is a voice, a movement, the sound of a lyrical poem. Art is our eyes wide open.
"Trick or Treat. Smell my feet. Give me something good to eat."
My earliest trick-or-treat memory was when my Mom dressed me up as mini- Santa Claus including makeshift beard stretched from cotton balls and a big jelly belly of rolled up winter scarves. In full action mode, pillowcase slung over my back, we were off on an incredible spooky adventure. With my two sisters in tow, we trekked through our neighborhood and beyond for miles gathering our massive bounty of sweet treat treasures. Upon returning home we dumped our goody bags out on the green shag carpet. Admiring its luscious beauty we wanted to roll around in our candy as if we were the greedy Three Little Pigs in a luxurious mud bath. Our own personal pots of child's gold. Eyes wide as the moon, we stared salivating over the mouth watering deliciousness of every variety of chocolate bar, Sweet Tarts, Smarties, Pixie Sticks, Necco Wafers, caramels, candy necklaces, wax bottles of drinkable goo and the occasional box of raisins or homemade cookie. No rocks.
The day after Halloween, stuffing my face with candy, I manically rode my tricycle on our front porch for thirty minutes like the little boy from TheShining, "Redrum! Redrum!" My energy level measured Breaking Bad,"meth addict" on the uncontrollable kid scale. This was soon followed by collapsing into a long sugar induced slumber while watching Sesame Street. C-is for cookie, C- is for coma. Candy wrappers littered our living room like the driveway of a Dixie trailer park. Next thing I remember, I slowly woke up with sticky orange drool running down my chin. My stomach felt like it was gut checked by Mike Tyson and I had a Tootsie Roll lollipop suspended in my ponytail.
So once a year let your mischievous monsters and ghostly goblins imagine they inherited Willy Wonka's factory and let it rain M&M's and Skittles. The memories are sure to haunt them forever.
“It takes great courage to open one's heart and mind to the tremendous injustice and suffering in our world.” ― Vincent A. Gallagher, author
Premiering November 14th, Rosewater is based on the best-selling memoir "ThenThey Came for Me: A Family's Story of Love, Captivity, and Survival by Maziar Bahari. Screenwriter, comedian, actor, producer and host of "The Daily Show" Jon Stewart makes his directorial debut. Rosewater follows the Tehran-born Bahari, (Gael GarcĂa Bernal) a broadcast journalist with Canadian citizenship through months of terrifying injustice.
Bahari returned to Iran in June of 2009 to interview Mir-Hossein Mousavi, who was the rival of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. As Mousavi's supporters began to protest Ahmadinejad's victory hours before ballots were counted or polls closed, Bahari endangered his own life to send footage of intense rioting to the BBC. Soon after, Bahari was arrested by police, and placed under interrogation by an unidentified man who called himself "Rosewater". For the next 118 days, Bahari was imprisoned and systematically tortured. Following an international plea led by Bahari's wife, igniting media outrage in the West, Iranian authorities finally released Bahari on $300,000 bail with an understanding he would spy for their country.
Rosewater is an unflinching first-hand account of tyranny, oppression and disturbing abuse of political power. It is a story for all times, all nations, all people standing up for their rights everywhere in the world. Released by Open Road Films OddLot Entertainment, Rosewater features Kim Bodnia, Halah Bilginer, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Golshifteh Farahani, Dimitri Leonidas, Claire Foy, Nasser Faris, Miles Jupp.
O hushed October morning mild, Thy leaves have ripened to the fall; Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,
October
Robert Frost (from A Boy’s Will, 1915)
O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf; One from our trees, one far away. Retard the sun with gentle mist; Enchant the land with amethyst. Slow, slow! For the grapes’ sake, if they were all, Whose leaves already are burnt with frost Whose clustered fruit must else be lost— For the grapes’ sake along the wall.
"Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen, Voices whisper in the trees, "Tonight is Halloween!" ~Dexter Kozen
What makes a song scary? With Halloween fast approaching, the appropriate music has the power to set ghoulish moods for ghostly celebrations or frightening tricks-or-treater's from the front porch. But what elements of a composition make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end or send a shiver down your spine? Researcher Daniel Blumstein, professor and chair of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California (Los Angeles ) may have an answer. Blumstein is an expert in animal distress calls or in scientific terms "nonlinear chaotic noise.” He began exploring the link between nonlinear noise and scary music in a 2010 study of film soundtracks discovering horror scores significantly amp up the creep with blood curdling shock waves. Animal screeches, screams, crying babies, a haunting dissonant piano chord all trigger biologically ingrained responses in human beings. Since music is a huge part of our existence and permeates almost everything we do it seems natural that we associate certain sounds with terrifying moments of suspense. Recall any horror or paranormal movie that gripped your imagination, had you covering your eyes or squirming in your seat. You can shield your view but you can't get the sound out of your head. Sounds move us faster than our visual perception. Your sense of hearing is never really turned off. So what scary songs are on your bewitching Halloween soundtrack? Here are a few to consider.
My all time favorite creepy composition was created by legendary British band Bauhaus. Considered the fathers of Goth rock music, Bauhaus composed an eerie tribute to late Hungarian actor Bela Lugosi (Dracula). The song "Bela Lugosi is Dead" has been featured in horror films TheHunger, and 2009's The Collector. The Thirst by Wymond Miles Dracula by Gorillaz Halloween by The Misfits Red Right Hand by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Down by the Water by PJ Harvey DarkLegacy by Midnight Syndicate The Prestige Movie Soundtrack & this hauntingly beautiful classic track from the Exorcist- Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield
"Of this poetry I'm left with the emptiness of an endless secret." - Giuseppe Ungaretti
Director, Alejandro G. Iñárritu's black comedy, Birdman (orThe Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) was shot in what magically appears to be one long continuous take in only thirty days costing a mere 16 million dollars to produce. Ironically, the same glorified show business types the movie mocks have eagerly turned up their thumbs faster than Arthur Fonzarelli attracts hot chicks Critics have been raving about the depth of Birdman's superb writing, performances and especially Iñárritu's visionary scope as a director. Emmanuel Lubezki, who won an Oscar for cinematography (Gravity )adds effortless edgy beauty to every scene. Birdman was brilliantly scripted by Iñárritu with Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr.and Armando Bo.
Starring, the remarkable Michael Keaton as the brooding former superhero Riggan Thomson, Birdman also features an incredible cast including Edward Norton, Zach Galafianakis, Naomi Watts, Amy Ryan and Emma Stone. The Fox Searchlight film premiers October 17th in limited release.
"When the world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful."- Malala Yousafzai
"Education is education. We should learn everything and then choose which path to follow. Education is neither Eastern nor Western, it is human."- Malala Yousafzai
"Science is not only a disciple of reason but, also, one of romance and passion."- Stephen Hawking, physicist, author quoteauthors.com
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World renowned physicist, Stephen Hawking is the former Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and author ofinternational best seller A Brief History of Time. Now at the age of 72, Hawking is Director of Research at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics and Founder of the Center for Theoretical Cosmology at Cambridge (UK). Incredible, right? What's even more incredible is that in 1963 at the age of 21, Hawking was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (ALS or Lou Gehrigs Disease in the States) and given a mere two years to live. Yet despite facing his greatest fears and an uncertain future he went on to Cambridge to become an extraordinary researcher and Professorial Fellow at Gonville and Caius College. From 1979 to 2009 Hawking held the post of Lucasian Professor at Cambridge, the same chair held by Isaac Newton in 1663. Stephen Hawking holds over a dozen honorary degrees. He is a fellow of the Royal Society and a Member of the US National Academy of Science and is highly regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists since Albert Einstein.
“An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language.”- Martin Buber
October is Adopt-A- Shelter-Dog Month. After reading stories and speaking with pet lovers worldwide we conclude sharing our lives with a special animal enables us to reflect on our own happiness. Dogs seem to awaken our sense of joy every single day. They make us laugh. They make us smile. They make us weep They make us grateful. They avert our hearts and minds to the moment. They are loyal, trusting, honest and true. When we lose them we feel intense grief. And just as we cherish our human relationships we rarely regret the short time span loving our four-legged best friends. There is a deep loving bond uniting dog and owner that is only understood by living the experience rather than simply describing it. Once, just once, every human being should own a dog. Owners envision dogs as every thing from wild adventure buddies, skilled trackers, playful protectors, savvy show dogs, furry friends, children with paws or cuddly couch mates. Dogs are more than mere pets. Dogs are family. Planning to adopt your companion from a rescue or animal shelter? You're saving a life- not just theirs but many times our own. Studies have shown pet owners are healthier and less prone to heart disease and depression than those without pets.
Now more than ever dogs in shelters across the country need your help to survive. Over population is a serious issue in the US. Over three million perfectly healthy dogs and cats are euthanized every year. Due to overcrowding, animals in high kill shelters may have as little as a week to live before being put to death. There are simply too many dogs surrendered by families or rescued from hoarders or puppy mills to house or save. Shelters lack resources and tragically, euthanization has become the only humane way to control pet population.
If adopting a pet isn't an option right now, use social media to get the word out about a local shelter or your favorite rescue. Utilize your own blog or website to include information. Post photo's of adoptable dogs. Organize a spay - neuter awareness campaign. Foster a pet until they find their fur-ever home. Donate money, supplies or volunteer. Better yet, ask your local shelters what they need most. Look into the eyes of any animal who has been rescued. Dogs understand love. Do we?
"A myth is an image in terms of which we try to make sense of the world."
-Alan Watts
When our inner dialogue creates the myth of how our greatest achievements are in the past we need to remind ourselves immediately that we are indeed living in the past. It is easy for the mind to conjure up memories of supposedly happier times. This type of nostalgia is notably reflected in the character Uncle Rico from the movie " Napoleon Dynamite". He tries to recapture his high school quarterback glory days by ordering a time machine from the Internet. All of us have a tendency to romanticize the past especially when we are unsure of the future or uncomfortable with our current situation. When we begin to speak and think in past terms our mind is no longer in the present moment. We are robbing ourselves of precious time in the here and now.
Do you recall a scene in the comedy classic, "Arthur" where Sir John Gielgud's character unpredictably slaps Dudley Moore in the face after he complains about being unloved?
"You spoiled little bastard! You're a man who has everything, haven't you, but that's not enough. You feel unloved, Arthur, welcome to the world. Everyone is unloved. Now stop feeling sorry for yourself. And incidentally, I love you."
Figuratively, every one of us needs the Hobson slap on occasion to remind us we are not the center of the universe. Life altering events occur in our later years but the unexpected can occur at any moment. Parents experience Empty-Nest Syndrome or grown children move across the country and lose a sense of togetherness. Sadly, you may lose a spouse or significant other. Perhaps you move a long distance after a job loss or start fresh in a new city after divorce. Be kind and gentle with yourself. Love yourself. We can't expect others to love us if we are not capable of understanding and loving our own true nature. If we feel unloved, ignored or unimportant we should begin to examine, explore and rediscover what we actually need to feel fulfilled. Learn to be comfortable alone. Embrace moments of solitude. There is no one more deserving of your love than you. Most importantly, find a way to comfort and serve others who really need you. Live with compassion. It may not be family, a spouse, a lover or your own children you help but their is a way your love, strength and wisdom are valued and greatly needed in our world.
Start a new career. Go to school. Take a boxing class. Run a marathon. Adopt a shelter dog. Pose nude for a portrait. Dance until dawn. Learn a new language. Travel. Write a blog. Eat a gallon of ice cream in your underwear. Save the world. It's YOUR LIFE. And it is happening right now. Too many people under forty consider themselves old. They have their entire future career path streamlined to retirement. When we are concocting all the charts and graphs, analysing data and saving for the stereotypical "old age" mindset, where is your NOW? Are you enjoying life now ? Why do people believe they will be happy in the future if they are incapable of being happy in the present ? Human beings have the desire and capacity to accomplish so much more than we allow each other. We are developing new skills and challenging ourselves at every age. Don't ever let insecure people tell you, YOU ARE TOO OLD. When your spirit is being drowned in a sea of cynical pessimism, it's time to reevaluate the people surrounding you.
Truth in life's advertising. You can't stop the aging process. But you can't stop dreaming. Sure there are entire industries of doctors, pharmaceutical companies and beauty product campaigns dedicated and thriving on keeping our society self-conscious about sexual performance, grey hair or sagging skin. People will always choose procedures or "quick fixes" if they truly believe it will make them happier. There is nothing wrong with wanting to feel good or more confident. Do you have to rely on them? The most beautiful people I know or have known accept that we are all aging. It is natural. It is life. Like all things, we too shall pass. Beauty and grace shine in the wisdom of our acceptance.
"I'll bring you when my lifeboat sails through the night. That is supposing that you don't sleep tonight."- Interpol- song "Leif Erikson" from Turn On the Bright Lights
lyrics by Paul Banks
This week's Top Ten albums includes New York City's own Interpol. Their latest release El Pintor (Matador Records) continues to rise since its debut earlier in September, now at number "7" on the Billboard charts. Owning all of Interpol's previous albums and having seen them perform live, I was excited about the launch of El Pintor. Similar to previous CD's such as "Turn On the Bright Lights, "Antics" and "Our Love to Admire", the more you listen to an Interpol composition the more you uncover a previously neglected melodic mystery or peel back an insightful lyrical layer. Sam Fogarino continues to be one of the best drummers in indie rock. Guitarist, Daniel Kessler magically creates his powerful haunting riffs. Guitarist, lyricist and vocalist Paul Banks mesmerizes at the helm, offering us his eerie yet alluring charisma.
Critics agree that the premiere track from El Pintor titled "All the Rage Back Home" is the most memorable offering. The brooding "My Blue Supreme" and the driving "Ancient Ways" may soon follow. The Spanish word "pintor" can be interpreted as painter, decorator or pavement artist which one should keep in mind when transforming this evocative auditory canvas into alternative shades of harmony and reverberation. "Tidal Wave" washes over us with a masterful rhythm. Paul Banks nautical infused lyrical references have beguiled many Interpol fans from "Leif Erikson" to "Take You On a Cruise" and on a current track "Anywhere"- "the ocean I could go anywhere. I could go anywhere. So free, its my nature to want." Lovers of Interpol will want this emotive sound wave too.
Billboard Top Ten ending the week of September 27th:
10. Lullaby And...The Ceaseless Roar- Robert Plant
9. Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Volume 1. Soundtrack
8. Where It's At - Dustin Lynch
7. El Pintor -Interpol
6. Seen It All-The Autobiography - Jeezy
5. I Don't Dance - Lee Brice
4. Ryan Adams- Ryan Adams
3. Souled Out - Jhene Aiko
2. V- Maroon Five
1. Anomaly - Lecrae
"We live in a world that is full of problems, and we are the solutions to those problems."- Julia "Butterfly" Hill- author, environmentalist
Many people feel overwhelmed with political questions, time constraints and money issues when it comes to contemplating ways to help save our planet. So put your worries in perspective, without a planet to live on, time and money don't matter. The simple fact is there are hundreds of ways all of us can contribute to healing our Earth. This weekend global and religious leaders, activists, teachers, scientists, artists and ordinary citizens from around the world will take action with the People's Climate March and Mobilisation http://peoplesclimate.org/global/
What if you're unable to attend the march or organize an event? Think of what you CAN do rather than what you can't. The following is a list of ideas that you, your family, your business, community, state and local government can start today. All of us share the responsibility to act. Vow to make a positive impact on our environment going forward, not only for your family but for all families and generations to come.
Once a week- GO VEGETARIAN - Did you know it takes approximately 2500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef? By skipping meat at least one meal per week ( Meatless Mondays) you are saving the planet and helping your own diet, not to mention saving the life of an animal.
RECYCLE ALUMINUM AND GLASS- look for recycle bins in your area, if they aren't available in your neighborhoods and communities ask why?
STOP USING PLASTIC BOTTLES AND BAGS -plastic is not biodegradable. Each year the US uses almost 84 billion plastic bags- a significant amount of the nearly 500 billion used worldwide. Reusable cloth or paper bags are the way to go.
TELECOMMUTE- make arrangements with your employer if possible to work from home at least once a week or more. You will save money on vehicle wear and tear, gasoline, transportation fees or fuel. Fewer emissions is better for our air.
GO PAPERLESS- Pay bills online. Stop paper statements.
RECYCLE NEWSPAPER
TURN OFF LIGHTS -SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER WHEN NOT IN USE- Most people don't realize they can save a significant amount on their energy bills by turning off their computers rather than allowing it to go into sleep mode. You save 4 cents a day by turning off the computer or 14$ dollars a year.
SHOWER OVER BATH TIME- SHOWER WITH YOUR PARTNER- Conserve water and save money on energy bills. Cut down on lawn watering and car washing.
DON'T LEAVE THE WATER RUNNING WHEN BRUSHING YOUR TEETH. You will smile at the money you save and the water you conserve.
DON'T THROW IT AWAY, GIVE IT AWAY- Before you decide to toss an old lamp in the garbage or throw away clothing find out if someone else can use or recycle the item. Go to https://www.freecycle.org/
HOW DO I CONTACT MY STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES TO HELP CHANGE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE? GO HERE: http://www.usa.gov/Agencies.shtml
"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference. You have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."- Jane Goodall- author, anthropologist LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS TODAY
"Silence is round me, wideness ineffable; White birds on the ocean diving and wandering;"
Ocean Oneness -Sri Aurobindo
Ocean Oneness
Sri Aurobindo
Silence is round me, wideness ineffable; White birds on the ocean diving and wandering; A soundless sea on a voiceless heaven, Azure on azure, is mutely gazing. Identified with silence and boundlessness My spirit widens clasping the universe Till all that seemed becomes the Real, One in a mighty and single vastness. Someone broods there nameless and bodiless, Conscious and lonely, deathless and infinite, And, sole in a still eternal rapture, Gathers all things to his heart for ever.
In loving memory of my Aunt Eloise who has passed. My heart and thoughts are with my Uncle Charles, cousins Jim and Eric. As I recall she was raised near peaceful waters, delighting in the beauty of ocean waves and the calmness of sunlit beaches. She cherished her family, adored her dogs. For many of her former students, friends and colleagues she will be remembered as a lover of language, a great and patient teacher of words. May we feel her spirit in our moments of silence and know her gentle presence when we speak of her memory.
“When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money.”
Earth is our home. It's our only home. We don't have a back up planet. We don't have a "Planet B". That's why finding solutions for how we can prevent further damage to our Earth and how we all play a part in our Earths healing is so critical. Climate change occurs when long term weather patterns are altered by human activity. Global warming is just one way we can accurately measure drastic weather changes. Scientists, global leaders and concerned citizens on every continent understand climate change in no longer up for "debate". It's a fact.
What can you do right now? Contact your local and state political representatives. Contact your local media and inform them you want immediate action on climate change. Remind them that by reducing greenhouse gas emissions we build healthier communities, promote economic innovation and create new jobs. Most importantly, the next time you're at the polls, vote for politicians who actively support effective climate policies.
On September 20th and 21st join Peoples Climate in mobilizing Global Action. For more detailed information about events in your area and around the world go to http://peoplesclimate.org/global/