The duties of a teacher are neither few nor small, but they elevate the mind and give energy to the character. — Dorothea Dix
Why I believe in recycling
We need to think about what we are doing here.
I personally am not a super recycler but I do recycle when I can. I don't use straws and anything plastic I consciously look for recycling dispensaries to sort my trash.
I personally am not a super recycler but I do recycle when I can. I don't use straws and anything plastic I consciously look for recycling dispensaries to sort my trash.
Where were you January 28th, 1986
I remember the space shuttle challenger like it was yesterday. I was in Mr. Gaines driver's ed car ready to go on a drive. Mr. Gaines always played sports radio and it was probably the only time at the time when regular news broke into sports coverage. It was big news at the time that made the whole school break into the forum and watched news coverage for the rest of the school day. Today I remember the hero's who reached for the heavens and shine with the stars eternally.
Billy Sims: The Forgotten Legend | NFL Films Presents
Ready for some SOONER FOOTBALL today... This is a great morning pick me up.
25 Ways to Help a Fellow Human Being Today
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” – Dalai Lama
BY LEO BABAUTA
Too often the trend in our society is for people to be separated from either other, to be cut off from the great mass of humanity, and in doing so to be dehumanized a little bit more with each step.
Cars have taken us off the streets, where we used to greet each other and stop to chat. Cubicles have taken away a bit of humanity in working, as have factories and even computers to some extent. Television has planted us firmly in our living rooms, instead of out with other people. Even movie theaters, where many people get together, cut us off from true conversation because we’re staring at a big screen.
And while I’m not railing against any of these inventions (except perhaps the cubicle), what we must guard against is the tendency of that individuality to have us focused on ourselves to the exclusion of our fellow human beings. The tendency towards selfishness rather than giving, on helping ourselves rather than helping our brothers and sisters in humanity.
I’m not saying we’re all like that, but it can happen if we’re not careful.
So strike back against the selfishness and greed of our modern world, and help out a fellow human being today. Not next month, but today.
Helping a fellow human being, while it can be inconvenient, has a few humble advantages:
It makes you feel better about yourself;
It connects you with another person, at least for a moment, if not for life;
It improves the life of another, at least a little;
It makes the world a better place, one little step at a time;
And if that kindness is passed on, it can multiply, and multiply.
So take just a few minutes today, and do a kindness for another person. It can be something small, or the start of something big. Ask them to pay it forward. Put a smile on someone’s face.
Don’t know where to start? Here’s an extremely incomplete list, just to get you thinking — I’m sure you can come up with thousands more if you think about it.
Smile and be friendly. Sometimes a simple little thing like this can put a smile and warm feeling in someone else’s heart, and make their day a little better. They might then do the same for others.
Call a charity to volunteer. You don’t have to go to a soup kitchen today. Just look up the number, make the call, and make an appointment to volunteer some time in the next month. It can be whatever charity you like. Volunteering is one of the most amazing things you can do.
Donate something you don’t use. Or a whole box of somethings. Drop them off at a charity — others can put your clutter to good use.
Make a donation. There are lots of ways to donate to charities online, or in your local community. Instead of buying yourself a new gadget or outfit, spend that money in a more positive way.
Redirect gifts. Instead of having people give you birthday or Christmas gifts, ask them to donate gifts or money to a certain charity.
Stop to help. The next time you see someone pulled over with a flat tire, or somehow in need of help, stop and ask how you can help. Sometimes all they need is a push or the use of your cell phone.
Teach. Take the time to teach someone a skill you know. This could be teaching your grandma to use email, teaching your child to ride a bike, teaching your co-worker a valuable computer skill, teaching your spouse how to clean the darn toilet. OK, that last one doesn’t count.
Comfort someone in grief. Often a hug, a helpful hand, a kind word, a listening ear, will go a long way when someone has lost a loved one or suffered some similar loss or tragedy.
Help them take action. If someone in grief seems to be lost and doesn’t know what to do, help them do something. It could be making funeral arrangements, it could be making a doctor’s appointment, it could be making phone calls. Don’t do it all yourself — let them take action too because it helps in the healing process.
Buy food for a homeless person. Cash is often a bad idea if it’s going to be used for drugs, but buying a sandwich and chips or something like that is a good gesture. Be respectful and friendly.
Lend your ear. Often someone who is sad, depressed, angry, or frustrated just needs someone who will listen. Venting and talking through an issue is a huge help.
Help someone on the edge. If someone is suicidal, urge them to get help. If they don’t, call a suicide hotline or doctor yourself to get advice.
Help someone get active. A person in your life who wants to get healthy might need a helping hand — offer to go walking or running together, to join a gym together. Once they get started, it can have profound effects.
Do a chore. Something small or big, like cleaning up or washing a car or doing the dishes or cutting a lawn.
Give a massage. Only when appropriate of course. But a massage can go a long way to making someone feel better.
Send a nice email. Just a quick note telling someone how much you appreciate them, or how proud you are of them, or just saying thank you for something they did.
Show appreciation, publicly. Praising someone on a blog, in front of coworkers, in front of family, or in some other public way, is a great way to make them feel better about themselves.
Donate food. Clean out your cupboard of canned goods, or buy a couple bags of groceries, and donate them to a homeless shelter.
Just be there. When someone you know is in need, sometimes it’s just good to be there. Sit with them. Talk. Help out if you can.
Be patient. Sometimes people can have difficulty understanding things or learning to do something right. Learn to be patient with them.
Tutor a child. This might be difficult to do today, but often parents can’t afford to hire a tutor for their child in need of help. Call a school and volunteer your tutoring services.
Create a care package. Soup, reading material, tea, chocolate … anything you think the person might need or enjoy. Good for someone who is sick or otherwise in need of a pick-me-up.
Lend your voice. Often the powerless, the homeless, the neglected in our world need someone to speak up for them. You don’t have to take on that cause by yourself, but join others in signing a petition, speaking up at a council meeting, writing letters, and otherwise making a need heard.
Offer to babysit. Sometimes parents need a break. If a friend or other loved one in your life doesn’t get that chance very often, call them and offer to babysit sometime. Set up an appointment. It can make a big difference.
Love. Simply finding ways to express your love to others, whether it be your partner, child, other family members, friend, co-worker, or a complete stranger … just express your love. A hug, a kind word, spending time, showing little kindnesses, being friendly … it all matters more than you know.
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a weary world.
– William Shakespeare
post courtesy of https://zenhabits.net/25-ways-to-help-a-fellow-human-being-today/
Thoughts and prayers...
Thoughts and prayers...
Doesn't do anything for those who do not share the belief. But to those who do believe it allows Christians who can't be there physically for those who are hurting to come together in prayer and empathy and honor God's promise as noted in Matthew 18:20.
You know I get it, The term "thoughts and prayers" seems like haughty lips service to most. But in an age where we sit behind our computers and smartphone and find it easy to throw out posts that contain a few typed words that give the sender the satisfaction of doing something to solve the ills of the world just doesn't help the consciousness of today's society. We as Christian must rise above the lip service when and where we can and let ACTIONS speak louder than our words. In Galatians 5:13 it says "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." This is where we must do more than speak in the spirit but walk in the spirit. I am not asking your physically tote our cross for all to see but to shine as an example of what it means to walk humbly and holy and offering personal testimony to your faith without the bull horns and the quick ease of a few typed words on a social media page. If your church is not offering a place to help then go out and find a place to help. Here are a few places to start...
https://www.unitedway.org
https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html
https://www.idealist.org
Now that you have direction, what are you going to do...?
Matthew 25:40 “...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
https://www.unitedway.org
https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html
https://www.idealist.org
Now that you have direction, what are you going to do...?
Matthew 25:40 “...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Last Friday night at the Oklahoma City Dodgers game we celebrated our military heroes.
This is the “CHAIR OF HONOR” - Prisoners of War - Missing in Action. This unoccupied seat is in honor of those who are still Prisoners of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA) and symbolizes there will always be a place in this ballpark awaiting their return.
YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
Mother's Day is April 25 for me
A rally cap is a baseball cap worn inside-out and backwards or in some other unconventional manner by players and/or fans to will a team to a come-from-behind victory late in a game. The rally cap is primarily a baseball superstition but has been adopted in various forms in other sports such as hockey.
the game of ball is glorious...
In our sun-down perambulations, of late, through the outer parts of Brooklyn, we have observed several parties of youngsters playing "base", a certain game of ball ... Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our close rooms ... the game of ball is glorious.
Walt Whitman - Comments on baseball in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle (23 July 1846)
Walt Whitman - Comments on baseball in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle (23 July 1846)
My Rex Manning day was ....
What a day... wake up, baseball and a win, streetcar ride, visit a friend to tell him I miss him and wish he would call more often, Found inspiration at the library, more streetcar rides, saw the first openly gay city Oklahoma City councilman sworn into office, rode a lime through OKC, more streetcar rides. Had some redfish Pontchartrain, did a slow bike cruise through downtown OKC. More streetcar, called my dad to tell him I loved him and hope he is well. Meditate in the myriad gardens and thought of my mother. Now I am packed up and ready to go home.
Friends... Where did they go? Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - Circle
"Me, I'm a part of your circle of friends And we notice you don't come around Me, I think it all depends on you Touching ground with us" These are the lyrics from a song by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, from their 1988 album Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars. I often think of this song in the measure of today's society and think about what social media is doing to the model of being friends. We can go out and socialize with friends or go to the park but when we snap, Instagram or facebook those moments online it seems like we try to add on that to be everything to everyone. I more and more look for ways to be everything to those few circles of friends to draw strength from knowing that when they are needed, they will be there, and their friendship will be everything to me in return.
David Saville is the heart of Clemson Football
TRULY POWERFUL... Love does conquer all.
Dabo and Clemson are a class act.
Dabo and Clemson are a class act.
Jurassic Park Theme (1000% Slower)
This has to be one of the most awe-inspiring treatments to this already wonderful score. I close my eyes and meditate to this sometime and it brings me to images of a heavenly state in my mind. The first 22 minutes of this is majestic, to say the least.
Factory Obscura - Beyond (my review)
A Rorschach test for the adventurous eye that asks you to open the doors of your mind and walk into wonderland. If you are a fan of anything David Lynch, Factory Obscura will not disappoint.
VIDEO TOUR
VIDEO TOUR
OKC Streetcar
http://okcstreetcar.com/
@cityofokc has extended the free streetcar rides till February 2, 2019. This is really a must experience thing to do. Learn how to get around on the cheap. Day pass is only $3 via the token transit app. When scissortail park opens you will want to know how this service works. In the meantime check out the free admission to @oksportshof free museum at the ball park (hours 10 - 5). Oklahoma City Bricktown, midtown and automobile alley have many places to eat at all bus stops. Nice day for a walk. #mydayoff
@cityofokc has extended the free streetcar rides till February 2, 2019. This is really a must experience thing to do. Learn how to get around on the cheap. Day pass is only $3 via the token transit app. When scissortail park opens you will want to know how this service works. In the meantime check out the free admission to @oksportshof free museum at the ball park (hours 10 - 5). Oklahoma City Bricktown, midtown and automobile alley have many places to eat at all bus stops. Nice day for a walk. #mydayoff
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