Daily Thoughts & Issues

IN THIS ISSUE:

FEBRUARY 3

Days left until the next millennium 01.01.3001
 

Photo of the Week
Dugald Bremner/Tony Stone Images
Achieve Your Dreams

Having a Super Bowl Party?

February 3 - In 1917, a German submarine sinks the U.S. liner Housatonic, prompting the U.S. to sever relations with Germany. * Civil War Peace Talks (1865) between Abraham Lincoln and Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens at Hampton Roads, VA. The four-hour meeting produced no positive results. The Confederates sought an armistice first and discussion of reunion later while Lincoln was insistent that recognition of Federal authority must be the first step toward peace. * President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act into law (1973). * The 15th Amendment granting the right of citizens to vote shall not be denied on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude (1870). * On this day, 45 days of winter will have elapsed and the equivalent remain before March 20, which is the spring equinox and the beginning of spring. * The 16th Amendment was ratified (1913) granting Congress the authority to levy taxes on income. (Church bells did not ring throughout the land and no dancing in the streets was reported.) * North America's coldest recorded temperature happened at Snag, in Canada's Yukon Territory, a temperature of 81 degrees below zero. * * Challenger STS-10 (US) became the first to fly freely in space, propelled by their backpack jets, untethered to any craft (1984). * Birthdays: Norman Rockwell, Nathan Lane, Joseph Johnston, James Michener, Shelley Berman, Joey Bishop (Joseph Abraham Gottlieb), Thomas Calabro, Vlade Divac, Keith Gordon, Robert Allen (Bob) Griese, Francis Asbury (Fran) Tarkenton.

DAILY THOUGHTS

Spontaneity: Many a man's profanity has saved him from a nervous breakdown. - Henry S Haskins. Have you ever noticed how much of your day is spent doing two things at once? We lead busy lives: we watch TV and eat dinner, we have sex and watch TV, we eat and breathe, we breathe and watch TV. We are so distracted by our many overlapping activities that we forget how to live in the moment. We forget to savor the simple pleasures that life provides us, inhaling, exhaling, bellowing at the tops of our lungs, or excreting extraneous intestinal gas. This is our human inheritance. Is it wrong to revel in it? We need to fully experience these simple moments, to feel the fullness of our life force. It is in these personal moments of self-expression that we are truly alive. Today, let me not only go with the flow, but celebrate it.   Meditations for Men Who Do Next to Nothing: and would like to do even less

The most mind-boggling changes of all are in the reproductive revolution. For thirty thousand generations one of the most basic instincts has been to breed as soon as we are able. In the space of one generation, middle- and upper-class Americans decided to defer childbirth for ten to twenty years. New Passages

Cabin Fever Cure. An indoor beach party is a great way to cure the winter blahs! We put on our bathing suits and sunglasses, spread a beach towel in the living room, take out pails and shovels, play ring toss, and treat ourselves to ice pops. It's nice to imagine warm breezes during chilly days! Parents Tips & Tricks

 What you must do usually can be done. Achieve Your Dreams

 Things to be Happy About:  Slow-growing devotion, a "shorthand" language between friends, the dark expanse of night. 14,000 Things to Be Happy About

 Your body can be one of the greatest sources of pleasure when you open your five senses and fully experience the physical wonder of being alive. The only secret to learning the lesson of pleasure is to make time and space for it in your life. If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

Any time you think the problem is out there, that very thought is the problem.  Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Simplify your financial life. If you aren't able to pay your credit cards in full each month, call the 800 number on the back of the cards and close your account. Then cut up your credit cards and throw them away. Simplify Your Life (Editors: Caution. Many car rentals, hotels, etc. may not even accept cash for a rental and if they do, your talking about turning over several hundreds dollars per day. Keep the card in a safe deposit box, but I would keep at least one for travel and emergencies. You can try setting a limit on holiday spending or commit to only use the credit card for hotels, rental cars and air fare.)

If you never want to make a mistake, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing. Since you can't do everything you feel you "should" do to take better care of yourself, don't make the mistake of doing nothing. Identify one small thing you could d today to make a difference - eat some fruit, take a walk, talk to a friend, go to bed earlier. Chart your efforts on a calendar, and learn to be content with progress rather than with perfection.  Stress Busters

Prosperity is not without many fears and distaste's; adversity not without many comforts and hopes - Francis Bacon. Win the Day!

Enjoy the inspiring atmosphere of a great library whenever possible. Just think of all the knowledge that surrounds you!  Life's Little Instruction Calendar

From the First Almanac (1793) This is a short month and you must improve your time. Get your tools in order for spring work: such as carts, ploughs, plough-shares, harrows, &c. The Old Farmer's Almanac 

Power It is such a scary idea for so many people as if it only means power over others. But that's never real power. That's oppression and domination. In your relationship, how have you been trying to control things, attempting to have power over your partner? Even in just little ways?  Personal power is the power of the self. It is self-respect and self-responsibility, enabling you to stand separate from your spouse and others and express your truth while respecting your spouse and others for their truth. Personal power directs you to lead your life with vitality and boldness. It enables you to follow your passion. It loves through you wisely and well. Whatever sets your heart and soul on fire is your passion. What do you need to do to have this passion expressed in your life, in your marriage? Do it! Because personal power is the soul on fire. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2.Timothy 1:7  Opening to Love 365 Days a Year

TODAY'S ISSUE: APPEARANCE

Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success. - Christopher Lasch.

I'm fairly certain that just because a man has a closetful of Armani suits and a Ferrari in the garage, doesn't mean he is necessarily happy. But, for most of us, those men certainly "look" as if they have it made, and, let's face it, most of us are drawn to that "appearance" of success.

But I think times are changing. And we're beginning to realize the sacrifice that goes along with all of those material gains. And more and more we have less and less admiration for the kind of self-absorption that's necessary to create this "perfect body, perfect car, perfect life" kind of guy.

Oddly, even those who still might want to "be" him would probably never want to be around him. Meditations For Men Who Do Too Much

Hey Man: Did you make a difference yesterday? Let us know at Contact Us. Want to make a difference but you don't know where to start?

 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Dork Diaries: Tales from a not-so-fabulous life by Rachel Renee Russell. New school, new mean girl, new crush, new diary. So, Nikki can spill about all of it. Aladdin, simonsayskids.com 2009 ISBN 978-1-4169-8006-3 2009

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

February is Heart Disease Prevention (Healthy Heart), National Children's Dental Health, Ethnic Equality and *National African-American History Month - a time to honor all peoples and their positive traditions; time to meditate on the equality of all peoples, on the respect due to them and God-Goddess manifesting as African, Asian, European, Latin, Middle Eastern, Native American and Oceanic. The Mystic's Wheel of the Year 2000, AMD/Low Vision Awareness; *American Heart; A Day of Hearts: Child Awareness; International Boost Self-Esteem; International Expect Success; Library Lovers', Marfan Syndrome Awareness; National Children's Dental Health; National Sign Up for Summer Camp; National Weddings; National Wild Bird Feeding; and Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month.

Jan 29-Feb 4: *National Consumer Protection Week. Jan 30-Feb 3: Mid-Winter/Candlemas. Feb 2-9: I Hate Financial Planning Awareness Week. Feb 3-9: Cardiac Rehabilitation Week. Feb 4-10: International Personal and Business Coaching: National School Counseling Week. Feb 6-13: Art of Communication Week. Feb 10-16: Celebration of Love; Enabled Entrepreneurs; Freelance Writers Appreciation; Heart Failure Awareness; Home for Birds; Materials Testing; National Child Passenger Safety Awareness; National Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; National Resurrect Romance Week. Feb 1-17: International Flirting Week. Feb 12-19: National Condom Week. Feb 16-23: National FFA Week. Feb 17-23: International Friendship Week. Feb 18-22: Brotherhood-Sisterhood Week. Feb 19-26: Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Feb 22-24: Second Honeymoon Weekend. Feb 25-Mar 1: Read Me Week. Feb 25-Mar 3: Telecommuter Appreciation Week. Feb 1: Candlemas; Ground Hog Day. Feb 2: National Men's Grooming Day. Feb 3: Torture Abolition Day. Feb 4:  Weathermen's Day. Feb. 5: Dump Your "Significant Jerk"; Pay-a-Compliment Day. Feb 6: National Girls and Women in Sports; Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbors Day. Feb 7: Laugh and Grow Rich Day. Feb 8: National "DAV" Day. Feb 10: Be Electrific; Motivation; Satisfied Staying Single Day. Feb 11: Lost Penny Day. Feb 12: Black Love; Get a Different Name Day. Feb 13: Race Relations; Read to Your Child Day. Feb 14: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness; National Have-A-Heart; Heart 2 Heart; St.Valentine's Day. Feb 15: Remember the Maine Day. Feb 16: Who Shall I Be Day. Feb 17: National PTA Founders' Day.. Feb 18: President's Day. Feb 19: Student Volunteer Day. Feb 24: Children's Day. Feb 25: For Pete's Sake Day. Feb 27: Spay USA; Paczki Day. Feb 29: Bachelors' Day

* 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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