Daily Thoughts & Issues

IN THIS ISSUE:

DECEMBER 15

Days left until the next millennium 01.01.3001

Photo of the Week
Scott Spiker/Adventure Photo & Film
Achieve Your Dreams

December 15 - The day the Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights to all (1791). * The day Fr. Matthew Fox was silenced by the Catholic Church for teaching Creation Spirituality (1988); day to mourn the silencing of all reformers and visionaries by religious authorities everywhere. The Mystic's Wheel of the Year * One Day, celebrating a new "melting pot" tradition of inclusiveness, Men of All Colors Together's One Day holiday echoes Martin Luther King, Jr's vision of global harmony by combining the December celebrations of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas and Winter Solstice, as well as other individual personal traditions into One Day that celebrates diversity and embraces love among us all, as one. * Famous Sioux leader, medicine man and warrior of the Hunkpapa Teton band, Sitting Bull, known also by his native name, Tatankayatanka, was born in Grand River, SD. He first accompanied his father on the warpath at the age of 14 against the Crow and thereafter rapidly gained influence within his tribe. In 1886 he led a raid on Fort Buford. His steadfast refusal to go to a reservation led General Phillip Sheridan to initiate a campaign against him which led to the massacre of Lieutenant Color George Custer's men at the Little Bighorn, after which Sitting Bull fled to Canada, remaining there until 1881. Although many in his tribe surrendered on their return, Sitting Bull remained hostile until his death in a skirmish with the US soldiers along the Grand River (1890). * Vega 1 (USSR) launched this date (1984) to rendezvous with Halley's Comet. Vega 2, launched 12/21/84 was part of the same mission which, in cooperation with the US, carried US-built "comet-dust" detection equipment. * Underdog Day to salute, before the year's end, all who contribute so much to the Number One people we read about. * After the usual barrage from naval guns, the US 24th Division landed on Mindoro, the largest of the islands immediately south of Luzon (the most important island of the Philippines). (1944). American soldiers easily advanced eight miles inland, took the perimeter of their beachhead and started construction of an airfield. Japanese kamikaze counterattacks, however, sank two motor torpedo boats and damaged the escort carrier Marcus Island, two destroyers, and a third motor torpedo boat, making Mindoro a most costly conquest than the island of Leyte had been. * Overturning its 100-year-old position, the American Psychiatric Association announces that homosexuality is not a mental illness. (1974) * A German panzer battalion inflicted heavy causalities on American forces trying to take the 700-year-old Italian village of San Pietro, before withdrawing from the town. San Pietro was reduced almost entirely to rubble. The American movie director John Huston, serving as an Army lieutenant, filmed the battle for the military. So graphic was the film that it was described as antiwar by the military brass at the War Department. The film was cut from five to three reels before censors allowed it to be released in 1944. It was later reedited for the television series (The Big Picture.) 1943. * International Language Week to disseminate information about mankind's quest for an international language to solve the communication problem of humans, and to supply information about the international language, Esperanto, which was created in 1887. * In an election (1989), Patricio Aylwin defeated General Augsto Pinochet's former finance minister, Hernan Buchi, bringing the military dictatorship of Pinochet's to an end in Chile. * St. Valerian's Day - invoked for protection against cold and snow. * Birthdays: Daryl Turner, Garrett Wang, Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, Dr. L. L. Zamenhof, Nichaolas (Nick) Buoniconti, Dave Black, Tim Conway, Friedrich Hundertwasser, Don Johnson.

DAILY THOUGHTS

Let Santa surprise you. Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me

Alone out on a windy or stormy night, sit still and silent. Experience Deity with 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

Over 400,000 African Americans serve in the U.S. armed forces. Timeline, 1986. African American History

There must be a balance between getting your rocks off and the holding, caressing and more intimate moments. - Niki, 22 Best of 1001 Sex Secrets Every Man & Woman Should Know

Children tend to ask for three to four presents during the holidays and parents tend to purchase their children ten or eleven gifts each. Dr. Buff's 365 Day Parenting Calendar

Will your personal life story be conceived as a progress story or a decline story?  To a large degree, you have the power of the mind to make that choice. Yes, you will encounter losses, some of them irrevocable. But you will also have accrued experience and judgment to adapt to them. New Passages

If the realization of one's power and freedom is experienced as a call to grace, as it often is, then the response will also be, "O Lord, I fear I am not worthy of your trust in me."  This fearfulness is, of course, itself an integral part of one's diligence and love, and therefore useful in the self-governance that prevents the abuse of power. Some who have been called to grace may wrestle for years with their fearfulness before they are able to transcend it so as to accept their own godliness. But for most people the fear that they might abuse the power is not the central issue in their resistance to grace. The Road Less Traveled

A modern way of making sense of former relationships is to learn not to make the same mistakes again, but this approach has little soul in it. The point is not to learn from our supposed failures, but to be initiated into soul through them. Soul Mates

The aim of an argument or discussion should be progress, not victory. - Joseph Joubert. Achieve Your Dreams

Things to Be Happy About:  Active neighborhood groups. Muted colors. Ahead of the Curve. 14,000 Things to Be Happy About

A kiss an make a big difference. Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me

To respect your body means to hold it in high regard and honor it. Respect is treating your body with the same care you would give any other valuable and irreplaceable object. Learning to respect your body is vital. If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus was formed in 1979, becoming the first chorus in the US to openly identify itself as gay.  Gay & Lesbian Calendar

What do we reflect to others about themselves?  And how much does that reflection influence their lives?  We have so much we can invest in the Emotional Bank Accounts of other people. The more we can see people in terms of their unseen potential, the more we can use our imagination rather than our memory - with our spouse, our children, our coworkers, or our employees. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Come up with a personalized list of things you can do, either by yourself or with your family, to take the place of watching TV, such as reading the classics again, or reading out loud from your favorite plays. Set up some board games or other types of games you can play with the family, such as Charades, Twenty Questions, Monopoly, or Trivial Pursuit. (Editor: Or a great jig saw puzzle). Simplify Your Life

Remind Kids to Say Thanks. In my children's stockings, I tuck in a pretty box of thank you notes. It's a gift kids can - and should - use right away.  Parents Tips & Tricks

Keep a small notepad on your person or in your attaché case to write down anything you want to remember during the day. Or purchase a small packetize recorder to take audio notes for you. Stress Busters

For the Kids: Surprise a pal as a secret Santa!  Ask friends to put their names in a hat. Now each person draws a name and gets that person a gift. Keep the name a secret! Set an amount to spend and a date to give the gifts. To Do Today

Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better. - Pat Riley. Win the Day!

Harto/a (AHRtoh/tah) Fed up. Estoy harto de este tema. I'm fed up with this subject. Living Language

TODAY'S ISSUE: GRATIUDE

I thank God with all my heart
for the gifts he has given mankind.
Uncountable are his miracles,
immeasurable his love.
- Psalm 111 (Translated by Stephen Mitchell)

Many things merit out gratitude - breath, the sun, the earth, the moon, and roots. So, to=o, our brothers, even the ornery ones. Everything wild helps preserve us. Those who teach secrets and share their milk warrant our appreciation. As do the brace ones and the aware ones.

Water, clouds, lakes, rivers and glaciers deserve gratitude. They all support us, each in its own way. All that streams through our body is worthy of praise - liquids, feelings, memories. The pulse. Throbs. Sleeping snakes and bears. And our eyes, which can perceive all this. The sky that holds all beings, and yet remains within us. Glory be to all. A Quiet Strength: Meditations on the Masculine Soul

Hey Man: Did you make a difference yesterday? Let us know at Contact Us. Today I will give thanks. I will remember the little things for which I am grateful. A Quiet Strength: Meditations on the Masculine Soul Want to make a difference but you don't know where to start?

Hey Man: Did you make a difference yesterday? Let us know at. Whatever other roles I may play in life, I'm always my own full-time caregiver and I owe myself a high quality of care. Family Feelings Want to make a difference but you don't know where to start?

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Buddha's Brain: The practical neuroscience of happiness, love & wisdom by Rick Hanson. The Buddha and other great teachers were born with brains built essentially like anyone else's - and then they changed their brains in ways that changed the world. Science in now revealing how the flow of thoughts actually sculpts the brain. By combining breakthroughs in neuroscience with insights from thousands of years of contemplative practice, you, to, can use your mind to shape your brain for greater happiness, love and wisdom. This book draws on the latest research to show how to stimulate and strengthen your brain for more fulfilling relationships, a deeper spiritual life, and a greater sense of inner confidence and worth. You'll learn how to activate the brain states of calm, joy and compassion instead of worry, sorrow and anger. This clear, down-to-earth book is filled with practical tools and skills that you can use in daily life to tap the unused potential of your brain and rewire it over time for greater well-being and peace of mind. New Harbinger Publications, www.newharbinger.com, 2009 ISBN 978-1-57224-695-9

 

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 - Just One Thing - 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
  • 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

December is Kidstuff month. Also check Toy Safety and Happy Holidaze. Holiday Designated Driver, Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness; Hug-A-Week for Hearing Impaired; International Calendar Awareness; *National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention; National Stress-Free Family Holidays; Safe Toys and Gifts; Universal Human Rights Month.

11/1-12/13: Merlin's Snug Hugs for Kids, 11/27-12/26: Ramadan. 11/1/00-01/01/01: Tie One on the Safety; 11/4-12/4: Jewish Book Month. 11/26-12/25: Operation Blessing International's 30 Days of Holiday Hope. 12/1-7: National Aplastic Anemia Awareness; Tolerance; 12/10-16: *Human Rights Week. 12/15-21: International Language Week 12/16-24: Posadas.. 12/17-23: Tell Someone They're Doing a Good Job Week. 12/22-29: Chanukah. 12/25-31: It's About Time Week. 12/26-1/1: Kwanzaa. 12/1: Day without Art/*UN World AIDS Day; 12/2: Pan American Health; International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, Advent/Festival of Lights. 12/3: UN International Day of Disabled Persons. 12/5: Bathtub Party; International Volunteer Day for Economy and Social Development Day. 12/7: *National Pearl Harbor Remembrance; UN International Civil Aviation Day. 12/9: UN Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948). 12/10: * Human Rights; International Shareware; UN Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination Day. 12/12: Poinsettia Day. 12/15: *Bill of Rights; Underdog; One Day. 12/17: End Violence Against Sex Workers (International) *Pan American Aviation; Wright Brothers Day. 12/20: Louisiana Purchase; Mudd Day. 12/21: Forefathers'; Humbug; Phileas Fogg Wins a Wager; World Peace Day. 12/25: Christmas, A'phabet Day. 12/26: National Whiner's; Boxing Day. 12/28: Holy Innocents Day. 12/29: UN International Day for Biological Diversity Day. 12/31: Namahage (Japan); Make Up Your Mind Day. World Peace Meditation.

* Means a Presidential Proclamation has been made.

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