Daily Thoughts & Issues

IN THIS ISSUE:

FEBRUARY 13

Days left until the next millennium 01.01.3001
 

Photo of the Week
Gordon Wiltsie/Adventure Photo & Film
Achieve Your Dreams

February 13 - Test pilot Charles Yeager goes on to break the sound barrier on October 14, 1947. * Dow-Jones tops 7,000 (1997) * Allied fire bombing of Bresden Germany (1945) caused a firestorm that destroyed the city and killed 135,000 people. * First magazine published in American, 1741, The American Magazine just three days ahead of Benjamin Franklin's General Magazine. * Birthdays: George Simenon, Giovanni Battista Piazzetta, Grant Wood, Peter Gabriel, Randy Moss, David Naughton, Eddie Robinson, George Segal, Jerry Springer, Bo Svenson, Peter Tork (Peter Thorkelson), Chuck Yeager.

DAILY THOUGHTS

Integrity: The Lost Virtue. Putting away lying, each one speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. - Eph. 4:25. Whatever happened to male integrity? We seem to have to look far and wide to find an honest and upright man. In earlier times two men used to close big business deals with a handshake and a stern look in the eyes. If a man gave his word, he considered it sacred. The age of honest men is far behind us. We commonly read about sex scandals, tax crimes, college recruiting violations and contract violations on almost every page of the paper. No one is trusted anymore. There must be lawyers and contracts for every deal; extensive credit checks are run on consumers; and background investigations are run on public officials to see if they've committed any crimes. This is a time of lie detectors, watchdog groups, and ethics committees. I believe that the major reason so many men have lost their integrity is for the cause of money, power and sex. Man has an insatiable appetite for these things and violates his own value system to get them, never thinking of the consequences. We Christian men need to work toward having more integrity. We need to live in accordance with God's standards and our own value system. If we are beyond reproach in all our dealings, we can more easily live with ourselves one day at a time. It can take a lifetime to gain your integrity, and you can lose it in a second. The Man Within: Daily Devotions for Men in Recovery, Thomas Nelson

Male Friendships. Friendship is vowing toward immortality. And does not know the passing away of beauty. - The Epic of Gilgamesh. Who is your best male friend? Speak his name out loud. What feelings do you have as you think about him? What do you imagine him doing right at this moment? What is it about him that you like? How would you like to see your relationship grow? Are you satisfied with it, or would you like changes? What do you share and have in common? How do you differ? Be brave enough to think about what you want and even ask for it. If you do not have such a male friend, imagine him. What would he be and look like? Perhaps he is a man of a different age or race. What qualities would he possess? What would your relationship be like? How would you support each other? Now with this real or imaginary best friend, consider how you can strengthen and deepen your connection. Make a plan to see him and do something together. As you consider this, do any fears emerge? Does he remind you of someone? What does closeness with a man mean to you? Does this closeness with a man frighten you? What do you want from this new or old best friend? How might you help each other? Today I will think about what I want to offer a male friend. What might he need from me? What skills do I possess that I can offer him? A Quiet Strength: Meditations on the Masculine Soul

In classical myth, Daphne becomes more and more attractive to the god Apollo as she runs through the woods avoiding his pursuit. There is something attractive about running away, not only to the person doing the running, but also to the pursuer. Soul Mates

The Vietnam Generation (born 1946-55) grew up believing they could do anything. Vietnam Generation babies came to adolescence expecting that everything would always get better. The natural self-indulgence of youth evolved into a philosophy of instant gratification that spread throughout the culture. New Passages

There is a great deal of unmapped country within us. - George Eliot. Achieve Your Dreams

The Character Ethic, which I believe to be the foundation of success, teaches that there are basic principles of effective living, and that people can only experience true success and enduring happiness as they learn and integrate these principles into their basic character. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Create your own rituals - any special thing you can do on a regular basis that you look forward to, and that you think about with a happy heart. Simplify Your Life

Things to Be Happy About: Learning to lay a fire. An open parking space when you really need one. Romantic E-mail messages (remember what tomorrow is?) 14,000 Things to Be Happy About

Appropriate touching is an important physical and emotional need for all people. Take time to reach out and touch someone you care about today. Give and request hugs and kisses regularly with those who share a mutual intimacy with you. Stress Busters

Chill a drink with cubes that are pink!   Pour pink lemonade into an ice tray. Drop Red Hots into each section, then freeze. Put the pink cubes into a glass of 7 up and serve to someone sweet. To Do Today

The activist is not the man who says the river is dirty. The activist is the man who cleans up the river. - Ross Perot. Win the Day!

Don't let anyone take a photo of you doing something you wouldn't want printed on the front page of your local newspaper. Life's Little Instruction Calendar

Lincoln Cents: Once worth a penny, a Lincoln coin called the 1909-S VDB might be worth $2,000 today if it were in mint condition. That's a penny designed by Victor D. Brenner and minted in San Francisco. The Old Farmer's Almanac

Protect against Radon. Odorless, colorless, and radioactive radon gas comes from the natural decay of radium into soil and underground water. Emitted through cracks and joints in basement floors and walls, it can build up in concentrations that can pose a serious health hazard over the course of the years. Home centers sell radon testing kits, which include instructions and an address where samples can be sent for analysis. If the analysis indicates a radon problem, the same steps that keep water out of your basement may also protect against radon. If these don't work, a waterproofing or pollution-control specialist can install a venting system. Stanley do-it-yourself Handyman Hints

Never reject love. How often do you express your love to your partner, and have it ignored, rebuffed or corrected? Feels terrible, doesn't it? Why does this happen between people who love each other? Because each of you harbors certain ideas of what love looks like and feels like, and you wear blinders to other ways of loving. Silly, isn't it? The art of receiving love requires opening to the mystery of love - taking off the restrictions to its expression - and making yourself available for any form it may want to take with you. Your spouse wasn't put to Earth to love you just the way you say so. Your spouse loves you in his or her own way. It's your responsibility to greet love however it comes to call, grateful for the gifts it chooses to leave with you. Learn from each other how you express love. It can even be while washing the dishes. It's like that. Mysterious and delicious. Daily. Daily. "It seems to me that we often, almost sulkily, reject the good that God offers us because, at the moment, we expected some other good." C. S. Lewis Opening to Love 365 Days a Year

El Oido (ohEEdoh). Ear. Soy todo oidos. I'm all ears. Living Language

TODAY'S ISSUE: FLIRTING - INTERNATIONAL FLIRTING WEEK

Flirting has lost its place in a world filled with sexual harassment cases. There is still a place for it when it stays safe and not abusive. And, as we close in on Valentine's Day, here are a few suggestions that can give that flirtatious message in a different way, thanks to a great little book, Romantic Mischief: The playful side of love. Here's what the author, Gregory J. P. Godek., suggests. Tomorrow, "instead of actually being romantic on Valentine's Day, why don't you use the day as a chance to rededicate yourself to the ideals of love? Make a Valentine's Day Resolution.

"You could resolve to call her more often. Be more considerate of him. Lister to her better. Give him more of your time. Stop making excuses. Reserve weekends for each other.

"Send a dozen roses. Make sure there are eleven red roses and one white rose. Here's the note: 'In every bunch there's one who stands out. And you are that one.'

"Buy piles of those little candy conversation hearts. Fill the sink with them. Fill his briefcase, fill her purse. Fill her favorite cereal box with them.

"Call your lover every hour on the hour...all day long!...just to say 'I love you.'"

And, finally, "A few romantic inscriptions for notes, gifts and jewelry:

A.A.F. (Always And Forever)

G.M.F.L. (Geese Mate for Life)

A.T.S.B.O. (And They Shall Be One)

T.L.Y.T.I.E.T.T.L.Y.M. (Ask a Beatles fan. Hint: From Abbey Road.)"

Hey Man: Did you make a difference yesterday? Let us know at Contact Us. Find out what it is in life you really enjoy doing and do it! What Every Man Needs to Know Want to make a difference but you don't know where to start?

 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

In Defense of Food: An eater's manifesto by Pollan, Michael Pollan. Because in the so-called Western diet, food has been replaced by nutrients, and common sense by confusion - most of what we're consuming today is no longer the product of nature but of food science. The result is what the author calls the American Paradox: The more we worry about nutrition, the less healthy we seem to become. With this book, the author proposes a new (and very old) answer to the question of what we should eat that comes down to seven simple but liberating words: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. His bracing and eloquent manifesto shows us how we can start making thoughtful food choices that will enrich our lives, enlarge our sense of what it means to be healthy, and bring pleasure back to eating. Penguin, www.penguin.com, 2009 ISBN 978-0-14-311496-3

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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