Daily Thoughts & Issues

IN THIS ISSUE:

DECEMBER 19

Days left until the next millennium 01.01.3001

Photo of the Week
Eric Evans/Adventure Photos & Film
Achieve Your Dreams

December 19 - Voices from Space. (1958) the US Earth satellite Atlas transmitted the first radio voice broadcast from space, a 58-word recorded Christmas greeting from President Dwight D. Eisenhower. "to all mankind American's wish for peace on earth and good will toward men everywhere." * Intelsat 4 F-3 (US) communications satellite launched by NASA on contract with COMSAT (1971). Mission involved intercontinental relay phone and TV communications. * St. Adam's Day: This whimsical old English holiday honored the "first man." An adamite is one of a sect, which originated in northern African in the second century, and pretended to have attained to the primitive innocence of Adam. Its members accordingly rejected marriage as an effect and clothing as a sign of sin, and appeared in their assemblies, called paradises, naked. This heresy reappeared in the fourteenth century, in Savoy, and again in the fifteenth century among the brethren and sisters of the Free Spirit, in Germany, Bohemia, and Moravia. It was suppressed in 1421 on account of the crimes and immoralities of its votaries. When toleration was proclaimed by Joseph II in 1781, the sect revived, but was promptly proscribed. Its latest appearance was during the insurrection of 1848-9. - William Whitney's Center Dictionary, 1889. Forgotten English * Walter Williams, 117, the last surviving Civil War veteran, dies in Houston, TX 1959. * Birthdays: William Parry, David Susskind, Carter Godwin Woodson, Richard E. Leakey, Kevin Edward McHale, Tim Reid, Robert Urich, Reggie White, Alberto Tomba.

Never leave lit candles unattended!

DAILY THOUGHTS

The Truth about Santa. Santa is supposed to be a symbol of unlimited kindness, but for many kids, he is the source of unlimited gifts. If children are encouraged to believe that all their presents come from Santa, they may not understand that real people put time, energy, and love into buying things for them. Here are some ways to keep Santa from overshadowing the true meaning of giving. Stress how Santa tries to bring one gift to make each child happy. Ask your child to identify the handful of items that he wants most. Have one or two of those presents come from Santa and the rest from family. Also, use the myth of Santa to reinforce the spirit of giving by asking your child to be Santa's helper. Have your child identify items on his list that Santa could give to other kids who need them. Parents Tips & Tricks

Holiday Safety:  Never use indoor lights outside. Don't Overload wattage: no more than 1,500 per outlet. Turn Off tree lights when you leave the house. IF YOU USE tinsel, make sure it's lead-free. WATCH WHAT you hand above a lit fireplace. The Old Farmer's Almanac

Among all the U.S. armed forces, the U.S. Navy has proportionately the fewest African Americans. African American History

If we could trade places for one night, I'd spend the whole evening giving her oral sex so she'd know how great it feels. - Henry, 27 Best of 1001 Sex Secrets Every Man & Woman Should Know

Before you go to a holiday dinner at a friend's house, take a moment to review good manners. Manners, which show respect for others, are timeless and much easier to learn at this time of year. Dr. Buff's 365 Day Parenting Calendar

As we age there is a quickening of reverence in the presence of art and nature, as almost everyone begins to wonder where he or she might fit in the larger scheme of things. New Passages

Perhaps the best we can say is that while we cannot will ourselves to grace, we can by will open ourselves to its miraculous coming. We can prepare ourselves to be fertile ground, a welcoming place. If we can make ourselves into totally disciplined, wholly loving individuals, then, even though we may be ignorant of theology and give no thought to God, we will have prepared ourselves well for the coming of grace. The Road Less Traveled

Obsessive relationships demonstrate how powerful are the stirrings and movements of the soul. We may be tempted to force a rational conclusion, containment, or control, but none of these is effective in the end. Soul Mates

Diligence is the mother of good luck. - Franklin Achieve Your Dreams

Things to Be Happy About. A bowl of Texas chili. Stone-washed denim. Cashmere turtlenecks and old jeans. 14,000 Things to Be Happy About

Once you're wet it doesn't matter how much more you get rained on. Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me

Choosing requires courage to stand up for your convictions. If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

Importance has to do with results. If something is important, it contributes to your mission, your values, your high-priority goals. But if we don't have a clear idea of what is important, of the results we desire in our lives, we are easily diverted into responding to the urgent. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Don't feel you have to buy out the baby store for the new baby. Borrow or buy from consignment shops those items you decide you need for a short while. Many people are tired of storing baby things and are only too happy to recycle them.  Simplify Your Life

"There is more to life than increasing its speed." - Kenneth Grooms. Are you still living at warp speed? Will it take a serious accident or illness to convince you to slow down some? Stress Busters

For the Kids: Blanket your living room in a flurry of snowflakes. Sneak out of bed when your parents are sleeping and hang tons of white paper snowflakes. We do this every Christmas Eve. Start making your snowflakes now. To Do Today

The first man gets the oyster, the second man gets the shell. - Andrew Carnegie. Win the Day!

Arriesgar (ahrryehsGAHR) To risk. Quien no se arriesga no pasa el mar. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. (Lit. He who takes no risks doesn't cross the sea.)  Living Language

TODAY'S ISSUE: AGING

Age helps one to acquire some of the perspectives necessary to create harmony among the apparent contradictions. - Roberto Assagioli.

I used to think we don't grow any wiser as we grow older, it's just that life presents us with simpler choices. Never again, for example, will I have to do anything as hard as standing on the school playground, waiting to be chosen for softball.

We choose and are chosen, nonetheless, throughout our lives, although our perspective keeps changing. The enormous contradictions of our early years - between freedom and discipline, love and loyalty - resolve themselves in time. As an old person, I'll look back on times in my life when I either did or didn't choose a certain partner, take a certain job, make a certain move. And because I won't particularly care about those things any longer, I'll be able to understand why I made those choices, and what that says about the kind of person I am.

Contradictions can paralyze us, because we believe we want to do opposite things equally strongly - to take a job promotion and to accept an outside offer; to adopt a child and to go to graduate school; to protect our privacy and to reveal ourselves to our loved ones. Family Feelings

Hey Man: Did you make a difference yesterday? Let us know at Contact Us. There is greater harmony in life than we can perceive at any given moment, and time will disclose it to our inner ear. 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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