Week 45: "52 Weeks of Peace"

Peace is liberty.

Today we honor of the United States of America. We honor our founders ~ their courage, their foresight and their brave ideals. And we honor our collective indomitable, independent spirit … as night skies across America burst with color, rumble and crack with cannon-like blasts, reminding us of all those who have fought for our freedoms and fought for peace, who have dreamed and toiled for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Happy Birthday America. May you have many, many, many more.

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Week 43: "52 Weeks of Peace"

We’re down to the last 10 weeks of “52”… hard to believe! It’s gone by so quickly. Hopefully it’s been as fun, and in some ways enriching, for you as it has been for me.  But we’re not done yet, so please enjoy the countdown to 52!

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Summertime. The weather’s hot. The sun is high overhead, gardens are bursting and most people think about of ways to cool off … pools, sprinklers, lakes, oceans, and streams take center stage.

Being near the coast, my mind gravitates to the sea; its grandness, its wonder and its gifts. And one of those gifts, so simply and exquisitely designed… seems to perfectly carry the message of peace and good will; a message worth remembering as life’s waves alternately cleanse, toss and tumble us about …

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Lesson in Leadership … Derek Sivers: How to start a movement

This is not only entertaining, but smart and quick and worth a watch!

Derek Sivers is best known as the founder of CD Baby. A professional musician since 1987, he started CD Baby by accident in 1998 when he was selling his own CD on his website, and friends asked if he could sell theirs, too. CD Baby was the largest seller of independent music on the web, with over $100M in sales for over 150,000 musician clients.

In 2008, Sivers sold CD Baby to focus on his new ventures to benefit musicians, including his new company, MuckWork, where teams of efficient assistants help musicians do their “uncreative dirty work.”

“Derek Sivers is changing the way music is bought and sold. A musicians’ savior. One of the last music-business folk heroes.”        ~  Esquire

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Week 39: "52 Weeks of Peace"

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“We meet them like a pleasant thought… ”  ~ William Wordsworth, from “To the Daisy”

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If peace were a flower, what better than this? ~  one of simplicity and cheer, with purity of heart, mind and soul; long-blooming and resilient … a pleasant thought indeed!


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Honoring Mother, Celebrating Life

Carolyn Naught Saxton, circa 1940's

On this day reserved for mothers. I thought I’d share some words from my own mother.

My mother was, of course, “my world” when I was little, and a role model as I grew. She did all the things you’d expect a Mom might do, like fix meals, teach manners, dry tears, cheer you up and on. She was always there for her family, She was involved in her community. She loved to laugh. She loved to give. She loved life and tried to worry only on Tuesdays. (or was it Wednesdays?)

Like many mothers, she was an unsung hero.

But she was also a poet. Her works first appeared in anthologies as early as her teens. Later, perhaps her greatest work, was the collection of sonnets published in her book titled The Pine and The Power.

My mother left the world much too soon ~ nearly 30 years ago ~ but she left gifts behind. Treasured, timeless words; gifts from the heart, mind and spirit.

It was hard to choose just one selection ~ but I share this in honor and life-giving celebration of mothers near and far, here or remembered.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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God help our children to transcend the dark

And walk the earth with dignity and cheer;

God help them seek the mountains, persevere

The road that twists through thorn and tanglebark,

Ascending finally where eagles mark

Their point of vision. Help our children find

Two masters ~ one the spirit, one the mind ~

And rediscover constancy of heart.

Help us to find cathedrals in the skies,

A will to walk the long uncharted mile;

(The will to find in winter’s legacy

The ochre sands from which the lime trees rise!)

Help us to know the measure of the child ~

To live in time and in eternity.

© Carolyn Naught Saxton

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