Finding Life’s Meaning and Purpose / Unexpected Carcinogens / School Calendar

If we only learn to Smile,
to spark a Hope, 
to give of our abundance,
to forward Kindness,
and share our Happiness,
we can begin to Truly Live
Life.

 You can be amazing,
and your words deliver a message
that will bring Joy
into someone’s precious
Life.
Your Love
will touch their Soul.

You
can let others know
that they are Loved,
and they are needed.

Let us stop
worrying about the Future
and remember a Time
in the past,
when our thoughts were so
Happy.

Relax
and teleport your mind
into a different World,
a REAL World.
Close your eyes
and remember a Tomorrow
that was Yesterday.
You
will be able to find Life’s meaning
and purpose.
It did exist,
and can exist
again.

You are special.
Great things are coming to you. 
When you Pray,
you can feel the Flow
of God’s Energy.

“What we achieve inwardly
will change outer reality.”
  – Plutarch

Our conscious, Living Being
responds more vigorously
to our feelings,
than our thoughts.
So,
let us speak in the Language
of the Heart.

“Prayers
not felt by us
are seldom heard by
God.”
– Philip Henry

Lose yourself
in the energy of your
feelings,
your yearning to help
another.
.
“The more willing you are
to surrender to the energy
within you,
the more power can flow through you.”
– Benjamin Franklin

Your feeling
is the Prayer.
.
“For the beauty of the Earth, For the beauty of the skies For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies Over and around us lies Lord of all, to thee we raise This our joyful hymn of praise For the beauty of the hour Of the day and of the night Hill and vale and tree and flower Sun and moon and stars of light Sun and moon and stars of light Lord of all, to thee we raise This our joyful hymn of praise For the joy of human love Brother, sister, parent, child Friends on earth and friends above For all gentle thoughts and mild For all gentle thoughts and mild Lord of all, to thee we raise This our joyful hymn of praise For each perfect gift of thine To our race so freely given Graces Human and divine Flowers of earth and buds of heaven Flowers of earth and buds of heaven Lord of all, to thee we raise This our joyful hymn, our joyful hymn of Praise This our joyful hymn of Praise.”

– John Rutter

click here to play this beautiful song

Let your Song
join the One that never ends.
Let the Sea
of your imagination
rush through your mind
and Heart.
Escape this reality.
Hope
lies just beyond
the horizon of illusions
that are Life.
.
Knowing
comes from awareness
that God is Real
and that He Lives
within.

 To grasp Reality,
go the Lord
in Prayer.

The Stars in the Sky
are a mirror.
Listen to your
Heart.

 We can learn
how to Love God,
and draw closer to
Him.

 Amazing Love
can fill your whole Being.
Listen,
Pray
and Believe.

The Songs and the Stories
of Love and Life
are so emotional and so
exquisite.
Someday
Love and Life
will meet again.
Someday
it will be Spring
again.

Let your Light shine
everywhere,
and let it Bless those
in need.

God
has been so good to you.
Be Grateful.
The Best Way
 to Praise the Lord
and Express His Love
is to invite Him
into your Life
and follow in His
Path.

Healing
is in the meditation
of calming the mind
and feeling the Infinite Energy
that exists within.
You can feel
your mind,
your Being
and your Spirit
in each Sacred Breath.

You can inspire others
to share your passions with the World.
And they will thank you
for making this World
a better place.

Life
passes by
and nothing is permanent.
We Live each day,
lost in the worries and troubles
 of the moment.
We don’t notice
Time passing by.
Why
did Time pass by so
quickly?
Perhaps it does not
exist.
Perhaps,
it too
is an illusion.
.
Our Hearts
ache for simpler Times,
for the days when we
were Children.
They exist in our
precious memories.
And YES,
they can exist
again.

Love
is what darkness
fears the most.

Close your eyes.
You will see
Peace.
You Heart
is ready to forgive
and to forget
and to send Love
into the Lives of others
all around you,
and all over the World.

It is so inspiring
to know that people all around
this Beautiful World
Love each other
unconditionally.
And through Love
we are all connected.
We are
one.

The dark
was never meant
to rule the Earth.
Our Destiny
is the Light,
and the Love,
and the Peace
of our Lord.
.
Let the Vibration
of your Life
be Kind to each other,
be accepting of 
one another.
 The darkness
wants to separate us.
But the Light
of Love,
will bring us
together.

Clear your mind.
Let the Energy of Love
flow into the Fiber
of your Being
through Prayer.
You are Love,
and you are
a Divine Child
of God.
.
With Faith
you will become
EVERYTHING
God wants you
to be.
Believe in yourself,
and Believe in God.
This your moment.

Goodnight.

Unexpected Carcinogens

click here to read more

Awesome Cancer Survivor

Alicia Staley’s journey as 23+ year cancer survivor.

Today, we’re featuring a blog post by S. Adams.  As many of you know, I’ve been interested in the environmental impacts that cause cancer.  Today’s entry touches on one aspect of that.  Thank you for contributing this very important perspective.

Developing cancer can be one of the most devastating things that can happen to a person. The instant your doctor utters the words, “You have cancer” your mind runs an emotional gamut.  Fear, uncertainty, sadness, hope, love, anxiety, anger, despair. Cancer is the nightmare no one wishes to wake up with. The resolve to fight for your life, and live it to it’s fullest becomes your focus.  There are many unknowns about cancer, and gradually scientists are learning more about what may cause cancer, and how to treat it.  While a cure for cancer is still being researched, we as individuals must do what we can and avoid those things which we know can cause cancer.

Carcinogens are cancer causing chemicals. The most well known carcinogens are cigarette smoke, asbestos, benzene, and formaldehyde. These chemicals are found in everyday items such as building materials, glues, detergents, plastics, pesticides, lubricants, paper products, cosmetics, air deodorizers, carpets, and more.  It may be hard to avoid items with these chemicals, as they are chemicals used in so many products, and you may not realize how much you are being exposed to them.

With what is known about causes of cancer, it will come as a shock that there are prescription drugs, commonly prescribed medicines, that have been shown to cause cancer in animals.  Yet, they are still readily available.  One reason they are likely still available is that the big drug makers, with their monetary ties to the FDA, insist more research has to be done on these medicines before they should be considered being labeled with extraneous warnings.

Millions of women experiencing menopause have taken HRT (hormone replacement therapy) to ease their symptoms. HRT boosts estrogen levels, which can promote both breast and uterine cancer development.  How many women have used this to relieve their menopausal symptoms, only to develop some form of cancer as a result?  We will never know.

 Drugs that have been found to cause cancer in rats range from heartburn medications to blood pressure and cholesterol lowering drugs.  Prilosec (heartburn), Aldactazine, Aldactone (both blood pressure meds), Zocor, Lopid, Mevacor, Lescol, and Pravachol (cholesterol lowering drugs) have all been found to be a cause of cancer in animals, and have been linked to increased occurrences of cancer by patients who have taken these drugs. 

 Do the benefits of these drugs outweigh the risk? The risk of developing cancer is not one to take lightly!  The fact that there are even more prescription drugs being researched as being the causes of cancer is disgusting.

There is research being done after scientific research has determined pancreatic cancer to be a Januvia side effect.  Januvia is a billion dollar money making diabetes drug produced by Merck, and being the big money maker that is, Merck defends the drug against naysayers, saying more research needs to be done to back up these claims. With similar diabetes drugs, Byetta and Victoza having been found to increase the risk of cancer, expedited research should be required. Are the manufacturers of these drugs hiding research results for the sake of increased profit?  With so many drugs being questioned, this certainly seems, sadly, a possibility.

The FDA warns against using the topical eczema ointments Elidel and Protopic in children under two as these medicines are associated with lymphoma and skin cancers.  The warning goes on to include that “the long term safety of these drugs is unknown.”  As you can read here, the maker of the drug found no reason for a warning to be added to the medicines. 

As a consumer, it is in your interest to know the risks associated with prescription drugs that you are taking.  Sites like DrugNews.net issue safety alerts, FDA recalls, and important medical industry news that can keep buyers aware of news that may be happening outside mainstream media. Being informed about the side effects and risks associated with medicines is another way to be be prudent in avoiding health risks.

 People taking medicine trust their doctors and they trust the makers of the drugs they are taking.  It is absurd that so many medicines have been linked to increasing the risk of cancer development, and the FDA should require more research into these drugs, quantifying the risk, instead of asking consumers to ignore the risk completely. Cancer should not be a risk that should be given or taken so lightly.

Knowledge is power,
and LIFE.

School Calendar

2021-22

First Semester
Sept. 7 – December 17   2021

Sept. 7 (TUESDAY)               First Day of First Semester
Oct. 11 (Monday)                   Columbus Day Holiday
Nov. 22 – 26                           Fall Break (and Thanksgiving)
Dec. 17                                   Last Day of Fall Semester

Second Semester

Jan. 4 (TUESDAY)                 Second Semester Begins
Jan. 17  (Monday)                  Dr. Martin L. King Holiday
Feb. 21  (Monday)   Presidents’ Day Holiday
Mar. 14 – 18                           Spring Break Holiday
April 15 & 18                         Good Friday and Easter Monday Holidays
May 27                                    Last Day of Spring Semester

Lyrics/songs texts/paintings/articles

are property and copyright of their owners
and provided for educational purposes.

Copyright Disclaimer
– Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use”
for purposes such as criticism, comment,
news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research.
Fair use is permitted by copyright statute.

Non-profit, educational or personal use
tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.

© Copyright 1995-2022
The Anderson Private School.

“He who opens a school door,
closes a prison.“
– Victor Hugo

I wish you all
 Peace.

Hang on
to your Faith.
You will get there.

.

 

His Love Is Our Existence / Yes, There Is A Shortcut To Success (And It’s Not Working Harder) / School Calendar

My Dear Friend,
Look UP,
and drink in the Majesty
of God’s Eternal Skies.

As you look,
your eyes are immersed into depths
of unimaginable Beauty.

The Language of God’s Love
comes from a Truly Passionate Resource:
all of Nature.

There is a Transcendence,
a Purity of Love,
a sublime Poetry
in Nature
that elevates our Spirit
and makes it Beautiful
Art.
It is beyond
what we can comprehend –
a Gift from Heaven.

We are born
with God’s Unconditional
LOVE.
His Love is our Existence 
and will pass to Eternal Life.
His Love
will never die.

God’s Love
is so much greater
than we can ever imagine.
His Love
for us
is the most powerful reality
we can ever discover.
The more we become aware
of God’s Love,
the more we become
Happy, fruitful and fulfilled.
My Dear Friends,
Life is filled
with Beauty.
Just look
all around you.
Notice the tiny bumble bee,
the small Child, and the smiling faces.
smell the rain,
feel the wind.
.
Truly Live Life
by sharing who you are,
what you Believe,
what you Dream.

Look at yourself,
who do you see?
Look all around you,
what do you hear? 
If you avoid the arrow of false need
and the bullet of greed,
you will Live to know
the Beauty all around you.

  Read the Sacred Words
of our Lord
and reflect upon just how valuable
every Word inscribed 
in the Holy Bible is.
If you look at the Sky
long enough,
you will hear the wind
calling your name.
Look longer and deeper
and you will see a whole other
World
before you.
The strings of darkness
that define the night,
teach us
to embrace the night
and adore the Light.

Humanity
can see past clouds
of illusion.
Your Precious Spirit
will not remain in your grave,
with your understanding
of what God has done
for you,
of His Love for
you.

You
can feel a deep emotion
that you cannot explain.

Open
your eyes as wide
as a Child viewing the World
for the very first time.
A Child
has a way of taking you
on his journey.
And suddenly,
you find yourself
flying,

My Dear Friend,
if you feel hurt,
if you are broken inside,
Pray for yourself.
Your Prayer
is an act of Love.
God will Hear You
and Cherish you.
Pray for yourself
and God’s Mercy will make you
stronger.
Prayer
is Perfect
for relieving the mind
of tension and stress.
Thank God
for Giving you
a Precious and Sacred Mind
that can be at
Peace.
The dark of this night
will disappear,
and the Light of a new Dawn
will show you
the way.

Now,
close your tired eyes.
The Dream of Life
will appear
again.

Understand
why we are here.
It was not by your choice, 
but by the Will of God.
 Reflect upon the Heart.
Look neither left, nor right;
for the Path to God
is always before you.
There is Perpetual Purpose
with every precious breath you take,
with every force of your energy
that moves you forward,
toward Love.

“Pursue some path,
however narrow and crooked,
in which you can walk with
Love and Reverence.”
– Henry David Thoreau

  There is something
beyond the physical design
of your Being.
With every Beautiful Brush Stroke
God has painted
an Eternal, Beautiful Work of Art –
YOU,
Pray
to not let the oppression
of evil
rob you of the Beautiful Blessings
that abide with your
Sacred Being.

“Greater is He
that is in you
than he that is in
the World.”
– I. John iv.4

 Drink in the Majesty
of the Majestic skies.
Be at Peace.
Embrace the Heavenly Mist.
Drink the fresh aroma
of Nature’s Purity, and Peace.
Surrender your will,
to the Will
of God.

God
is the most Beautiful Reality
there is.

Trust in God
and Love Him with your whole
Heart.
Put Faith, Family, and Friendship
as priorities in your
Life.

Live, Love and Laugh.
Life is precious.
It is a Gift
to treasure in every moment.
It is
a Promise.

Goodnight.

Yes, There Is A Shortcut To Success
(And It’s Not Working Harder)

By Jeff Goins

click here to read more

The other day, someone commented on a post of mine in which I promised them a “shortcut” to success. They said, there’s no such thing. That made me wonder. Really? There are no shortcuts in life? Only the hardest working people in the world win? It’s a popular belief, which should be reason enough to question its validity. But let’s explore this idea.

Let’s say there are no shortcuts and everyone is as successful as they absolutely deserve to be. Does that mean Bill Gates, who makes about $11 billion per year (or $1.3 million per hour!) works 54,000 times harder than the average American worker who earns $50,000 per year? How is that even possible?

Look. We all want to believe hard work pays off. And it does. But at a certain point, you can’t work any harder. You have no more time than anyone else. So what do you do? You have to learn how to work smarter. And that means learning from someone who’s already been there. Here are three lessons to remember.

1. Don’t Go It Alone — Get a Guide

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”   –  Benjamin Franklin

For years as a writer, I struggled to get noticed. I blogged and nobody cared, tried to write books no one would read, and failed to motivate myself to work. I wanted a publisher but didn’t know anyone in the industry and didn’t have any readers to show for my work. I was stuck.

What I needed was someone to show me another path. It didn’t have to be a shortcut. I was just tired of the long road to success — because it was leading nowhere — desperately wanted to know what was missing.

In any great story, there is a point in the journey when the hero meets an obstacle he cannot overcome. This is the moment when the guide arrives. This is the essence of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey: you cannot succeed without someone wiser to show you the way. Frodo needed Gandalf. Luke needed Obi-wan. And you and I need a mentor.

Sure enough, in my own journey, that’s what happened. I met a handful of people who acted as guides in helping me become an author, speaker, and entrepreneur. My dream became a reality within a matter of 18 months. But this wasn’t because I hustled — it’s because I found a guide.

And you know what? I didn’t work any harder in those 18 months than I did in the previous seven years. But I did work smarter — not because I was any smarter, but because someone showed me a better way. I met the right people, connected with the right networks, and practiced my craft in the right way. In other words, I found a shortcut.

But maybe you don’t like thinking of success this way. I certainly don’t. It’s embarrassing to admit I got a little lucky, that I was in the right place at the right time, that it wasn’t just about the hustle. But that’s the truth. And I think we need to acknowledge this reality.

2. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel — Learn from Others’ Experiences

“True education does not consist merely in the acquiring of a few facts of science, history, literature, or art, but in the development of character.”     – David O. McKay

How do you find a guide, or in today’s terms, a mentor? It’s not as easy as we’d like.

First of all, mentors tend to be busy people. So getting in front of one will take work. People move around so much these days, and so many things, including our careers, are constantly changing. It stands to reason, then, that your mentor will not just be one person, but a team of people.

In my book, The Art of Work, I call this an “accidental apprenticeship.” The idea here is that if you pay attention to your life and the people who are in it, you will find there are those around you right now whom you can learn from. In that sense, the best mentor is the one that’s right in front of you.

Still, you’ll want to be intentional about getting into relationship with this person. Here are several things to remember:

1. When you reach out, make your first ask a small one. In other words, don’t lead with, “Will you mentor me?” Instead, ask for a few minutes of their time, offer to buy them lunch/coffee/whatever.
2. Make it about them. Ask specific questions about choices they made in their own success journey and why.
3. Take notes. When you meet with this person, write down everything they say. Honor their wisdom by capturing as much of it as possible.
4. Follow up. This is perhaps the most important and most often overlooked secret to getting into relationship with influencers who can eventually become part of your team of mentors.
5. Become a case study. Hands down, this is the best thing you can do to earn the attention of an influencer. And if you do this consistently over time, you will get people interested in mentoring you. Demonstrate that their advice works and tell the world about it.

Do this enough times, and people will be lining up to give you their time, attention, and ideas. Because the truth is nearly everyone wants to help someone who is going places, so they can feel responsible for that person’s success.

3. Don’t Succumb to Scarcity — Embrace Abundance

“True success is overcoming the fear of being unsuccessful.”                      –  Paul Sweeney

My friend Mary told me when she was first starting out as a writer, she asked an author out to lunch. “How do you get published?” she asked. The person wouldn’t tell her. She said those were her secrets and that Mary would have to find out for herself.

That day, Mary vowed that if she ever made it as a writer, she’d share everything she learned with other aspiring authors. A few years later, I called her asking for advice, and she made good on her promise.

Shawn Coyne, long-time New York editor, told me a similar story. Back in the day, nobody in publishing shared anything. There were no guidebooks on how to be an editor. He had to figure it out all on his own. Once he did, instead of hoarding his knowledge, he decided to share it in a book, blog, and podcast.

This refusal to succumb to the scarcity mindset changes everything. When we let go of our perceived scarcity and embrace our actual abundance, it changes so many things:

• Scarcity kills our creativity. Abundance expands it.
• Scarcity makes us afraid. Abundance makes us brave.
• Scarcity pushes people away. Abundance attracts.

It can feel a little risky to embrace this mindset, this idea that there are guides out there who will help you and opportunities for success yet to be uncovered. But it is a much better way to live than to assume the alternative, that everyone is out to get you and there is no way you’ll succeed.

Once you do experience this abundance, you will have an opportunity to help others, which is one of the greatest rewards of success.

I realize this may come off as manipulative or even sound a little unsavory. Don’t influencers just want to help people out of the kindness of their hearts?

Well, maybe. But they’re busy. And so when push comes to shove, they’re going to invest in people with promise, not takers who seem to make everything about themselves. Your best bet is to be remembered as the ambitious person with lots of questions who was eager to learn, not the know-it-all who was more interested in herself than the person with experience.

We all love to feel important and valued once in a while. When seeking someone’s help or advice, appeal to this side of them, not their more noble, generous side. As you earn their trust, you will see more of this side. But in the beginning, assume they are only interested in helping themselves. So make it worth their while.

It’s better to lead with humility than arrogance.

Don’t be so strategic it stifles the relationship. But be intentional with your time and focus it on those who will give you a return on your investment. I guarantee you this is how your would-be mentors are thinking.

Here’s What It All Boils Down to

“Success is simple. Do what’s right, the right way, at the right time.”             –  Arnold H. Glasow

So how does this work? Well, let’s recap the above in a few important lessons to remember:

Lesson #1: You can get where you want faster if you follow in someone else’s footsteps. Find a guide or mentor you can learn from and emulate, even from afar. This is the difference between those who continuously struggle and those who find a faster way to succeed. Humble yourself and trust that there are those out there who want to help you.

Lesson #2: Learn from other people’s experiences to grow your own capacity. In other words, don’t waste years trying to figure things out. Instead, sacrifice time and money to accelerate your learning. Invest in opportunities that allow you to learn from the successes and failures of others. That might mean taking a course, hiring a coach, or working for free for a certain period of time in exchange for experience.

Lesson #3: When opportunity seems limited, change your mind. It might mean moving across town to a co-working space. It might mean ponying up to go to an industry conference where all your peers are. Or it might just mean realizing there are plenty of chances for success right where you are.

Geography matters, but mindset matters more. And chances are, there’s an opportunity closer than you realize. You just might have to move towards it before it will come closer to you. You can’t just sit around and wait for things to happen — for mentors to come find you and for opportunities to fall in your lap. Luck, of course does happen, but it’s better to look for luck than wait for it.

Because luck is often hiding in the hard-to-reach places that most people are too timid to approach.

Who knows? Maybe as you scan the horizon for the right opportunities, you just might see a shortcut.

School Calendar
2021-22

First Semester
Sept. 7 – December 17   2021

Sept. 7 (TUESDAY)               First Day of First Semester
Oct. 11 (Monday)                   Columbus Day Holiday
Nov. 22 – 26                            Fall Break (and Thanksgiving)
Dec. 17                                   Last Day of Fall Semester

Second Semester

Jan. 4 (TUESDAY)                 Second Semester Begins
Jan. 17  (Monday)                  Dr. Martin L. King Holiday
Feb. 21  (Monday)                  Presidents’ Day Holiday
Mar. 14 – 18                            Spring Break Holiday
April 15 & 18                           Good Friday and Easter Monday Holidays
May 24 – 27                             Adventure Trip
May 27                                    Last Day of Spring Semester

Lyrics/songs texts/paintings/articles

are property and copyright of their owners
and provided for educational purposes.

Copyright Disclaimer – Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use”
for purposes such as criticism, comment,
news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research.
Fair use is permitted by copyright statute.

Non-profit, educational or personal use
tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.

© Copyright 1995-2021
The Anderson Private School.

“He who opens a school door,
closes a prison. “
– Victor Hugo

I wish you all
 Peace.

 

.

.

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

The River is WIDE / Common Sense Solutions To Beat Depression / Friday Trip: Museum of Science & History and Omni Theater

“There’s a new World somewhere
They call the Promised Land.
And I’ll be there someday
If
you will hold my hand.”
– Tom Springfield

              A new world somewhere.

Stargazers,
are the very
few,
those walking hand in hand.
But they are the ones
who come to understand,
just how wide
the River of Life
truly is,
that the Water of Life
is Love.

This precious River
can overflow
the banks of time
and nourish Life,
as the tide
subsides.

And the Beautiful Melody
of its flow,
can open your Heart
and touch your very
Soul.

                   If you will hold my hand.

“The river is wide.
I cannot see.
Nor do I have light wings to fly.
There’ll be a boat that can carry TWO,
and both shall row,
my Love and I.”
– James Taylor

Only
someone who Loves
discovers real Freedom,
and knows
it is born only in the eyes
of another.
When
you liberate feelings
of Compassion and Love
in the precious Life
of someone near you,
your Sight
no longer turns inside yourself,
to see only the lonely,
and how empty
Life can be.

                      To see only the lonely.

My Friends,
our road leads
to nowhere,
or
we glimpse
Eternity.

One path
lies through the closed
and very narrow
vexations of the mind,
the other,
through a Loving
Heart,
an open door.

What a Beautiful Journey
Life
can be,
when we take it
together,
hand in hand.

Yes,
you can live
in night forever,
never even knowing
you do not
see.

“A Life
without Love
is worse than
death.”
– Padre Pio

.
How soon Life
flies,
and all is
gone,
as the Seasons drift by
one by one,
and Life
is quickly done.
But the Human Heart,
YOUR Heart,
is always
young.

If you build
your World
around someone
other,
YOU
come to discover
that you truly
exist.
YOU
finally know
the meaning of
Life.

Love
must be shared,
or it and you,
simply
do not exist.

Goodnight.

“Holding your hand
And standing by to catch you
when you fall,
Seeing you through
In everything you do.

Let me be there in your Morning.
Let me be there in your night.
Let me change whatever is wrong,
and make it right.

Let me take you through
that Wonderland
that only
TWO can share.
All I ask you
is let me be there.”
– John Rostill

Low-cost, common sense solutions
to beat depression at its own game.
by Get Holistic Health
read more

 1. Get a General Health Check
“A true diagnosis is half the cure”
– wise saying.

In some cases, depressive symptoms can be caused by an illness, vitamin defenciency, drug side effect or withdrawal. Common medical causes include underactive thyroid, heart disease, cancer, certain blood pressure medications and even birth control pills.

By getting to the root cause of your depression, you can figure out the best way to treat it and beat it.

Common Sense Tip: Get a general medical checkup and if you are taking any prescription drugs, investigate if depression is a possible side affect.

 2. Eating Right
“Let food be thy medicine
and medicine be thy food”
– Hippocrates

Let us not underestimate the power of food to affect mood. Medical studies have linked vitamin deficiencies, such as in Vitamin D and B12, to depression. And that’s just for starters.

Many sufferers of bio-chemical/biological depression may find they also suffer from sugar sensitivities or allergies. In that case, diet can play a vital role in beating depression.

Common Sense Tip: Take notice of how you feel after eating certain foods. Keep a food diary.

 3. Getting Enough Sleep
“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man
healthy wealthy and wise.”
– Benjamin Franklin

 A successful psychologist once said that post-partum depression may in fact be another label for sleep deprivation. While it may not be that simple, sleep and depression are closely related.

Lack of sleep has been shown to precipitate psychotic episodes, for example. But does lack of sleep cause depression or does depression cause the inability to sleep? Whatever it is, by getting more sleep, you can start making inroads to improvement.

Common Sense Tip: Go to bed early. If you suffer from insomnia, explore gentle methods of promoting rest like meditation, yoga and massage.

 4. Get your Blood Pumping
Exercise, exercise, exercise.

It took me 3 years after having my youngest child and suffering a bad spout of post-partum depression to make an exercise move. That was the most liberating step I took in all those 3 years, literally. And I saw the results immediately.

Exercise gets your heart rate up, serotonin kicking in and blood sugar cravings, which cause mood swings, down. Oh and I recommend doing it in fresh air with some deep breathing. There’s nothing like nature and some life-energy pulsating through your veins.

Common Sense Tip: Put on your jogging shoes right now and take a walk or run outside. Make a realistic exercise schedule that you can keep up weekly.

 5. The Right Support
“I get by with a little help from my friends”
– The Beatles

Because depression sufferers tend to socially withdraw or hide their true feelings, it can be a bit of a catch twenty two.

Finding the right person to talk to about how you’re really feeling is a great start to fighting those blue feelings. Whether it’s a trusted friend, psychologist or life-coach – a little step in the right direction can do wonders. Getting out the house, when you’re about to sink into another lazy, self affair episode, is another way to beat depression at its own game.

 Common Sense Tip: Even if you don’t feel like it, go out and socialize with your friends on the weekend.

Open your Heart and touch your very Soul.

Copyright Disclaimer – Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research.
Fair use is permitted by copyright statute. Non-profit,
educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.

Lyrics/song texts/paintings are property and copyright of their owners
and provided for educational purposes.

.

Deep Wells, Eternal Springs / Cancer and Milk Thistle / Truth About Cancer / Important Dates

There are deep wells
of Wisdom,
Eternal Springs
of Knowledge
that can nourish
your mind,
bring Peace
to you fragile Heart
and heal your
Spirit.

These vast Reservoirs
of Wisdom
reside in poetry and song
that God provides in order that
you and I
may flourish and thrive
and become passionate
about the precious Gift of Life,
share it with others
and pass it on.

                   God provides.

Love may be found
in the symbols
of communication
we hear and read
and share.
But meaning,
my Friends,
is taken TO
these symbols,
Not FROM them.
Reality
emanates from within,
not from without.
This significant understanding
harbors a fundamental
awareness:
The inspiring and beautiful
words and passages
we read and hear
can unlock
Hearts and minds
and truly reveal
what lies within.
And what may be found,
was placed there by God,
and it is truly Beautiful!

Shade them from the harshness of what lay ahead.

In every Religious and Spiritual Tradition
we find the same precept
– that life’s ultimate Truth,
its Treasure,
resides within us.

My Dear Parents,
such Treasure lies deep within
the Heart and mind of your child.
But a child on its own,
will never discover it,
never realize
the Sacred Beauty
that resides within –
Not without you.
Only you
can unlock the precious mind
and fragile Heart
of your child.
And the Key
may be found
in your Heart,
revealed in Loving words,
the gentle tone of your voice,
kind deeds
and
forgiving ways.

A child wants guidance.
Craves the knowledge
that YOU care enough
to provide the structure needed
for survival.
When children internalize our guidance
they become “self-disciplined.”
And the most effective “discipline”
for your child
is always
positive,
Loving
and gentle.

Yes, a child WANTS
guidance.
Believe it or not,
when given in a Loving manner,
it says
“I LOVE YOU”
in a LOUD, unmistakable
and Eternal way.

           It says “I LOVE YOU”.

The softer the voice,
the louder
the message.

“Speak softly
and hold me
in your Heart.
And as I hear these words,
truly Loving moments
start.”
– Wm. C. Anderson

Don’t just shout NO.
Whisper,
“No, my Love,
that soft drink
will KILL you.
And you will suffer immeasurably
along the pathway to death.
It’s called
Diabetes.”

Come to understand what Love really means.

Yes,
your child,
more precious than
everything else in the Universe,
will get mad at you
for pouring that sugary soft drink
down the drain,
BUT,
will live long enough
to forgive you,
and come to understand
what Love
really means.

“Do not provoke your children to anger.”
– Ephesians 6:4

The greatest of the
Reservoirs of Love
and strength and knowledge
comes from
the Word of God.

“Train up a child
in the way he should go:
and when he is old,
he will not depart from it.”
– Proverbs 22:6

       The horizon of our being.

I am asked
from precious time to time,
“What do think my child
needs from me,
wants of me?”

My Dear Friends,
your child, literally,
wants to fly with you
across the sunrise
of each shining day,
to walk with you
hand in hand,
to hear so very many stories
you have to share,
to sing a song of Life
with you,
to laugh out loud
so hard
they cannot breathe,
to sit beside you
and enjoy the graceful beauty
of God’s sun setting
on the horizon of our being,
to be close beside you
with a campfire warming
body and Spirit alike,
to live inside
the warmth of many smiles
that shade them
from the harshness
of what lay ahead,
what is so very dark
outside.

Healing within always comes from without.

Mom,
your precious baby,
growing or grown,
wants YOU,
not all
the mind cluttering things,
objects to lose or lost,
the misplaced mayhem of
mind boggling and mischievous
moments lost in the nether world
of technologies bought for naught.

Within the Heart
and mind
of every child,
is an empty
space to fill,
as vast as the whole Universe,
as void
as any nothingness
you could possibly feel.

What may be found was placed there by God.

If the truth
be told,
your Heart can
be made
to never, ever hurt again.
And how is this done?
By Loving another
far, far more
than you ever Loved
yourself.
Healing within,
always comes
from without,
from another
in need.

How can your thoughts
be of you,
if they are infinitely focused
upon someone you Love,
someone other than thee.
The Human mind
can think of ONLY one
thing
at a time.
So stop thinking
about yourself,
and get some
Peace of Mind.

          Sidestep the illusion

And yes,
if Wisdom should,
perchance or by happenstance,
sidestep the illusion
of your ego,
Loving God
will provide a Blessed Gift
of healing from Above,
and the Dove
of Peace
will alight upon
your troubled Heart.

“Only love can break a heart. Only love can mend it again.”  – Gene Pitney

We are not here
to change one another,
to bend each others will
to our way,
to steal away the fire,
share the night
without the day,

“Love
is a Flower,
you’ve got
to let it grow.”
– John Lennon

All your child’s world
will hear
as the sound of your voice
echoes soft and clear,
is Love,
no longer held by the fear
of unknowing if your Heart
is near.

Love blossoms evermore when
the thoughts of your child
are beside you.

The greatest wellspring
of inspiration
I have ever known in song
I wish to share with you.
I play this beautiful piece
almost daily,
to remind me
of what is truly significant
in Life.
I invite you to listen with me
to the inspired thoughts
and lyrics of Randy Sparks,
performed by John Denver.
I Pray
these beautiful words
will also Bless you.
click here.

        Get some Peace of Mind.

“Having a baby
redeems everything!”
– Garrison Keillor

We were not meant
to be lonely,
life is not merely
pleasure or pain,
sunshine
or rain.
Each nurtures the other,
with night
comes the Morning,
Flowers follow
the rain.

   The colors of our vibrant Love.

Our tears of Thanksgiving
really are
rain
that falls upon the soil
of Hearts,
no longer in pain.

Saying
“I Love You”
is the same
as a Flower
Loves the rain,
Loves the sunlight
of each new day,
Loves blossoming
to say
Life and Love
can both be born
again.

“Even that which is broken
with Love can be mended again.
All the things that you fear,
at the most they mean nothing.
All the sorrow and sadness
can just disappear.”
– John Denver

Your child wants to discover
a new beginning with each shining day,
and give to each moment
Love
without condition.

And when the end is here,
and it will surely come,
your child will thank you
in Prayers
to God Above,
for letting
“me be me”,
and
thank you
for being you.

More than this you cannot give.

The colors
of our vibrant Love
are as bright
as God’s Love
from Above.
And more than this
you cannot
give.

Goodnight.

“Parents who overemphasize
achievement
are more likely to have kids
with high levels of depression, anxiety,
and substance abuse
compared to other kids.”
– Eric Barker

Merrick Rosenberg
more clearly stated it:
“When our strengths
are exhibited at extremes,
they become our weakness.”

“Remember,
moderation in ALL things,
even moderation.”
– Benjamin Franklin

                                        Cancer and Milk Thistle
Encouraging studies are promoting the use of silybin as a way to alter the cell cycle of certain types of cancer. Silybin is the most potent ingredient in silymarin, the compound responsible for the health benefits of milk thistle. Although studies are ongoing, silymarin’s role is promising. Early reports show that silymarin affects cancer cells by disrupting the signals to multiply and invade healthy cells.

Silymarin may also:

Slow the growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical, and prostate cancer.
Reduce the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs
Offer protection to the kidneys when using Cyclosporine, a drug diagnosed primarily to prevent transplant rejection. This medication is often used in the treatment of various types of cancer. (But, it may also affect cyclosporine’s effectiveness.)
Inhibit the formation of blood vessels that surround tissue in order to feed a malignant tumor, known as angiogenesis.

In addition, silymarin has been known to improve the efficiency of chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin and doxorubicin in the fight against ovarian and breast cancer. This research is ongoing, but silymarin is beginning to garner respect from the scientific community as a potential weapon against cancer.

Since the process of extracting silymarin from milk thistle was developed in the 1980s, it has been easier to produce supplements that are more potent. Though milk thistle has not been evaluated and approved by the FDA, the most commonly recommended dosage is 200 mg to 400 mg twice per day. The herb can also be taken as a tea, but most people who take milk thistle prefer the supplement. If you prefer the tea, the dosage is 12 to 15 grams of the dried herb infused in warm water.

Check with your healthcare professional before adding milk thistle to your diet, since there is a risk of severe allergic reactions in people with an allergy to flowers such as ragweed, marigolds and artichokes. Pregnant women and children should avoid milk thistle since its effect on this population has not been confirmed as safe for this population.
– read more

And from my Dear Friend Gina:

Episode 1 of “The Truth About Cancer: A Global Quest”

https://go2.thetruthaboutcancer.com/agq/episode-1/

Click above and you’re going to find out “The True History of Chemotherapy & The Pharmaceutical Monopoly” in this powerful first episode!

Just a couple things you can expect to discover:

– The true history of chemotherapy and how the original “chemos” were based on the mustard gases of the World Wars.

– Proof that corruption and fear are being used to enslave cancer patients

– Meet doctors who have been persecuted and destroyed for curing cancer

– And much more!

                                     THANK  YOU  Gina!

The information on this website is presented for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, or advice of a qualified, licensed medical professional. The facts presented are offered as information only, not medical advice, and in no way should anyone infer that we are practicing medicine. Seek the advice of a medical professional for proper application of this material to any specific situation.

No statement on this website has been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. Any product mentioned or described on this website is not
intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you purchase anything through a link in this email or website, you should assume that we have an affiliate relationship with the company providing the product or service that you purchase, and that we will be paid in some way. We recommend that you do your own independent research before purchasing anything.

“As you continue
to send out Love,
the energy returns to you
in a regenerating spiral.
As Love accumulates,
it keeps your system in balance
and Harmony.
Love is the tool.
And more Love
is the end product.”
–  Sara Paddison

Important Dates
Sept. 6  First Day of Fall Semester
Oct. 10    Columbus Day Holiday
Nov. 19-25     Fall Break Holiday
Dec. 20 – Jan. 4  Christmas Holiday
Jan. 5    First Day of Spring Semester
February 20  Presidents Day Holiday
March 13-17   Spring Break Holiday
April 14 & 17   Good Friday & Easter Monday Holidays
May 22 – 26     Adventure Trip (All Aboard!)
May 26             Last Day of Spring Semester

The Sheltered Arms Of Love / Multitasking Is Detrimental / Friday: Chandor Garden

Dedicated to
Natalie.
Always know
That
We Love You
And we miss you.
Our thoughts
And our Prayers
Are with you
Each and every
Day.
May God
Always
Abide in your
Precious Heart.

“Your Heart
is where your inner light resides.
It is part of every Sacred journey
to reconnect with your inner light,
step into your Divinity,
spread the light of Love before you,
return to the essence of Love,
and inspire others to do the same.”
― Molly Friedenfeld

          Do not look with your eyes.

When
Can my Heart
Come Home?

When
Does my Sacred Journey
Begin?

My,
How we suffer
On this Earth,
So unknowing, unaware
That all the pain
May simply disappear,
That we may be healed,
Clothed in Forgiveness,
Gifted of recreation,
Made new,
Like the morning Sun,
Baptized
And refreshed,
Like beautiful Flowers
Opening their blossoms,
Anointed with the morning dew,
Made ready
For another new day
In which to dance
With the wind
And play.

   Anointed with the morning dew.

Our pilgrimage
To such Joy
As we have never known,
Is not outward
Into the unknown.
It is to the center
Of the Human Heart.

Do not look
With your eyes,
My Friend,
They will never see
What you are
Looking for.

Be still
And Listen,
And you will hear
A Sacred call
To discover in yourself
What has been there all along:
God’s Abiding Love
That can keep you
Vibrantly alive,
Truly in Love with Life,
And strong.

God’s Truth will penetrate into your precious Heart.

The sorrows that confound you,
From the world all around you,
Can simply
Disappear.

For the Dreamscape
Your Being may bring,
Of Love and laughter and Prayer,
Can lead to a Landscape
Overflowing with God’s
Very Tender,
Loving Care.

“And I say unto you,
Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find;
knock,
and it shall be opened unto you.”
– Luke 11:9

As we pass through
The shadows of life’s illusions,
And enter into
The Eternal Light of Truth,
We wield
The Sword of the Spirit
Which is the powerful
Word of God,
Tempered
In the Hot, Scorching Fire of
His Everlasting Love.

We must learn
How to use the Sword
Of the Holy Spirit.

“The Word of God
is living and active.
Sharper than any double-­edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,
joints and marrow;
it judges the thoughts
and attitudes of the Heart.”
– Hebrews 4:12

My Dear Friends,
Read the Word of the Lord
And you will be renewed
And strengthened
In body, mind and Spirit.
God’s Truth will penetrate
Into your precious Heart.
Then your Sacred Journey
Will begin.
And joy,
As you have never known,
Will enter your Life.

“Be Still and listen to your heart. 
It is the voice of God 
pulsating to the rhythm of the Universe
 transmitting a message 
through your soul to you.”
– Carolyn Odom Burleson

You can deafen the silence we endure.

“I will be the gladdest thing
under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
and not pick one.”
– Edna St. Vincent Millay

.
Your Heart
Is able
To truly sing.

And if you are still
And listen,
You can
Deafen the silence
We endure.

Yes, My Friends,
Dark days
Will come.
They must come.

“Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.”
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

With Faith and Hope
And the Treasured
Word of God,
Light and Beauty
Will also come.

“Consider the sweet, tender children
Who must suffer on this earth.
The pains of all of them
He carried from the day of His birth.

He clothes the lilies of the field,
He feeds the lambs in His fold,
And He will heal those who trust Him,
And make their hearts as gold.”
– Roger Hoffman

The great fear
For each of us,
Is that
We may not hear,
Never know,
The joy of Pure Love
God will show.
But,
You need fear
No more.

Refreshed like beautiful Flowers.

Be still and listen.
Your song
He is singing
In the Sunlit sky
Of every morning.
With each new day
His Creation of the Dawn
Is a Sacred Call
To discover ourselves
In the Sheltered Arms
Of Love.

Don’t let the Love
Of Life
Pass you by,
Or the Life
Of Love
Will surely die.

“A flower blossoms
for its own joy.”
– Oscar Wilde

Dark clouds need never rise
As we cross over
Rivers deep
Of doubt,
And wide
Of deepening despair.

    Dark clouds need never rise.

For God discloses
The joy of Human Love
As He abides
With us
In the Poetry
Of Prayer.

Goodnight.

“All the flowers
of all the tomorrows
are in the seeds
of today.”
– Indian Proverb

From our friends at
NaturalNews.com by: Ethan A. Huff:
Science proves
these seven herbs provide powerful protection
against liver cancer and liver damage:

More than 10 percent of the world’s population
currently suffers from some form of liver disease,
whether it be fibrosis, cirrhosis, a hepatocellular carcinoma,
alcoholic steatosis, or chronic hepatitis.
And a great number of these folks
use some kind of natural remedy as treatment
rather than pharmaceuticals,
according to a 2012 study published
in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

According to the paper,
the following herbs and herb-derived remedies
are among the top contenders
in this natural fight against liver disease:

1) Curcumin  (turmeric derivative)
2) Wogonin (Scutellaria radix). This monoflavonoid compound isolated from skullcap root shows incredible promise in the treatment of both Hepatitis B and C, as well as various forms of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
3) Glycyrrhizin (Glycyrrhiza glabra). This active constituent of licorice root has long been used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis, and also possesses a host of natural anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
4) Resveratrol. This polyphenolic phytochemical derived from berries, grapes and wine, has gained itself a solid reputation as one of the most potent anti-aging compounds found in nature.
5) Silymarin (Silybum marianum). This compound derived from milk thistle is arguably the most well-studied in the natural treatment of liver disease.
6) Rhein. This anthraquinone derived from rhubarb is known to have powerful anti-cancer properties.
7) Geniposide (Gardenia jasminoides). This compound of the gardenia plant is particularly beneficial in treating hyperlipidemia and fatty liver disease.   read more

A study at the University Of London
found that subjects who multitask
experienced drops in their IQ
comparable to someone who missed a night of sleep.
Even if multitaskers feel like they’re getting more done,
they’re working at a much lower cognitive level.

Research repeatedly tells us
that multitasking is detrimental to our brain.

And the cognitive costs get worse.
If you’re a multitasker,
you might have done some
serious permanent damage,
as a study that ran MRI scans
on the brains of multitaskers
found they had less brain density
in areas that controlled empathy and emotions.
read more

So,
Slow down.
Do one thing at a time
And do it well,
But NOT too well.

Remember,

“Moderation in ALL things.
Including moderation.”
– Benjamin Franklin

On FRIDAY March 4, 2016, we will meet at school to depart at 9:00 a.m. to arrive at 10:00 a.m. at the CHANDOR GARDENS, at 711 West Lee Ave. in Weatherford – Telephone 817-613-1700.

Douglas Chandor

Our Self- guided tour starts at 10:00 a.m. We will spend approximately 1½ hours on our tour. Following the tour, we will travel to the Whistle Hill Café in Weatherford to enjoy lunch.

Following lunch, we will return to school to work on our Shakespeare Production, Hamlet, with our wonderful Director, George X Rodriguez. Pick-up is at the School at 3:15 p.m.

Chandor Gardens is a unique world-class paradise featuring an enchanting array of creativity, color and beauty. The gardens were lovingly designed and created by renowned English portrait artist Douglas Chandor over 70 years ago yet remain a spectacular marvel. Douglas painted portraits of Edward, Duke of Windsor, the young Prince of Wales, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth among many others.

When Douglas Chandor married Weatherford native Ina Kuteman in 1935, she convinced him to build their home and garden in the heart of her hometown. Although his claim to fame was his talent as an artist, Douglas found his real passion as a gardener. He once told Ina that his talent for painting was merely a means that enabled him to fulfill his dreams of building a “living artwork”.

Douglas Chandor’s destiny would be to turn these dreams into a reality. The gardens, originally called White Shadows, were carved from 4 acres of rock-hard terrain that was once a cow pasture. The project began in 1936 with the aid of picks, shovels, dynamite and mule-drawn plows. Truckloads of topsoil and tons of boulders were brought in to transform the barren cactus-dotted property into a peaceful haven enclosed by hedges and walls.

Chandor devised a series of garden rooms, each with individual character and stunning views, all connected by meandering walkways. His creation combines the styles and ambiance of Chinese and English gardens with such delights as fountains, grottos, and even a mountain waterfall.

The Chandors worked tirelessly together in the gardens until Douglas’ death in 1953, at which time Ina renamed them Chandor Gardens as a tribute to her husband. The gardens remained open to the public until shortly before her death in the late 1970s. Because there were no direct heirs, the property remained unattended, overgrown and deteriorating for 20 years.

In 1994, local residents Charles and Melody Bradford purchased the estate and took on the enormous task of restoring the gardens and home. In what could only be described as a true labor of love, they painstakingly spent years clearing and cleaning away the debris of decades of neglect.

Many large old trees, Douglas’ original wisteria and boxwood plantings, and his magical hardscapes remained. Everything else was replanted by the Bradfords, and thanks to their efforts Chandor Gardens was once again transformed into a lush tranquil delight.

Please observe the POLICIES of the Garden. Uniform pants with a belt, polished shoes & red monogrammed school shirts are required.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS/NEIGHBORS/SIBLINGS/ are always invited to participate on our trips.

Please do not disturb Dr. A. should he be found on the trail all alone and asleep or muttering incoherently to himself or some
passerby or a frog or a tree or a bug. You get the picture!

Students are NOT to leave any facility at any time for any reason, including the need to secure a ride, without the approval of Dr. or Mrs. Anderson.

FINANCIAL: Admission: children – $2.00 / Adults $3.00
Please pay at the Garden.

IMPORTANT DATES
March 4 (1:00 PM) Stolen Shakespeare Guild Monologue and Scene Competition at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center (we have several young ladies competing in the finals)
March 14-18 Spring Break Holiday
March 25 & 28 (Fri. & Mon.) Easter Holiday
April 6 (Wednesday) Screening of Hamlet at The Modern Art Museum (11:00 am)
April 29 Scarborough Renaissance Festival
May 1 Tuition Due for 2016-2017 school year
May 2 & 3 (MONDAY & TUESDAY) Annual Anderson School Shakespeare Production (Hamlet)
May 15 (SUNDAY) Preparation for Adventure Trip
May 16-20 Adventure Trip to Little Rock, Ark.
May 20 Last Day of School
(See William’s Weblog at andersonschool.net for trip details (posted Wed. at 6:00 p.m.)

The Gift of Single-mindedness / Our Dragonflies are Grateful for the Pesticide Free Campus

Getting children to think is easy,
If you think about it.
But don’t think too much.

“Do everything in moderation,
including moderation.” 
– Benjamin Franklin
Inventor of many things, including
The United States of America

Moderation is the best advise
I have encountered.
The violation of this admonition
Is why a few of us
Are driving a Tesla.
This poor man,
Who changed the way the whole world lives,
Did not heed this gentle warning.

     Emerson

“The sanity of society
is a balance of a thousand insanities.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nikola Tesla, according to Life Magazine’s
Special issue of September, 1997,
Is among the 100 most famous people
Of the last 1,000 years.
He did not become insane,
As we may be able to define it,
At the end of his life,
For he was like that his entire life.
The line between insanity and genius
Is thin
And often does not exist.

“There is no great genius
without some touch of madness.“
                       – Seneca

This assumption is reasonable within
The levels of intelligence he demonstrated.
Thinking far too much
Contributed to his lonely, withdrawn existence.
He died without ever getting married
Or having the joy of children
To drive him insane.
read more

 “When we remember that we are all mad,
the mysteries disappear
and life stands explained.”
– Mark Twain

NIKOLA TESLA

WE ARE OF SINGLE MIND

My friends,
The awareness of
Our ability, or disability,
As some may view it,
To think of one,
And ONLY one,
Thing at a time,
Can become a gift of Life.

But this phenomenon can become
A deadly exercise in poor judgement,
If you think you can text while driving.
Not fully knowing that the human brain
Simply switches rapidly back and forth
From one thought to another,
Has cost much needless suffering
And many lives.

You, and I, are capable of thinking
About only ONE thing at a time.
Research (read more) has proven this
Time after time.
Oh, there are exceptions,
Very few,
But these exceptions are not me,
And they are not you.

 The myth of multitasking has never been stronger.
But researchers prove it is a myth
And they have the data to prove it.

As we discussed in my class in
Philosophy, The Art of Wondering,
Humans don’t do things simultaneously.
Instead, we switch our attention from task to task
Extremely fast,
Or, if you are like me,
A little slower.

And, if you are like me,
Drink another fruit smoothie
And think only about
Getting the very last drop.
Staring into the bottom of the cup
Is a deep enough thought,
When you stop thinking about it.
For those of you who referred to me
As an old smoothie,
You were about 40% right.
The rest is made up of water
Three brain cells
And one nerve ending.
I keep asking my students
Not to step on that.

“In order to act,
you must be somewhat insane.
A reasonably sensible man
is satisfied with thinking.”
– Georges Clemenceau

According to Meyer, Evans and Rubinstein,
“Multitasking may seem efficient on the surface
But may actually take more time in the end
And involves more error.
Mental blocks created by shifting between tasks
Can cost as much as 40 percent of
Someone’s productive time.”
(This explains texting and auto accidents.)
read more

“The brain is very good
at deluding itself.”
– neuroscientist Earl Miller

But there is unbelievable beauty
In our awareness
Of ourselves.

This inability (to multitask)
Like so very, very many things,
Should be recognized as a Gift,
A singular ability,
A Blessing,
If you think about it,
But not too much.
Remember, moderation in everything
Including moderation.

But what exactly does that mean?
What is a moderate, moderate.
I think we keep looking for that being
To elect to public office –
A moderate, moderate.
But since I do not know
What this is,
I do not know
Who this is
To vote for.

 We humans may eventually evolve
Into beings that can think
More than ONE thought
At a time,
Perhaps, even thinking about
EVERYTHING at once,
Much like the quantum computers
We are now creating.
(read more here to blow your mind out of calm waters)

Such a God like quality
May bring us
“Nearer My God to Thee”,
But so far,
Our single-mindedness has brought us
The internet,
Fruit smoothies (Thank you Lord!) and
The Atomic Bomb.

I Pray
That enabling even more capability,
Doesn’t also blow up
In our hands.

But my dear Friends,
Hidden very deep within the folds
Of our SINGULAR ability
To think one thought at a time,
Lies a secret to a happy life.
Knowing that you can think about
One, and only ONE thing
At a time
Is a truly precious insight.

It is your awareness
Of this
That is of value,
Not the knowing itself,
Not the thing you know you can
Or cannot do.

Hang in there.
I am swimming to
The shallow end of the pool,
Running out of air,
Breathing deep and
Taking in more water.
This is where more children my age go
To have fun.

Knowing that your mind can harbor
Only ONE thought at a time –
Being fully aware of this –
Can place you in control
Of the next moment,
The next hour,
In control of your life.

If in THIS moment
You are sad, regretful or depressed,
Quickly,
Do something else,
Something you may call distracting,
That you know would not be unpleasant, painful,
Something that would be, in fact, pleasurable,
Anything, including just jumping into the pool.
Hey, try it with all your clothes on –
Then you’ll have something to remember!
That will really take your mind off your miseries.
You will laugh so hard
You may not be able to get out of the pool
By yourself, without help.
So, pull the helper
Into the water with you!
That will make your day,
And his.

Life need NOT
Be uneventful.

I pushed my sweet LeVonna
Into a swimming pool fully clothed.
She never strolled by another pool
Standing close to me again.
It still makes my day
Just thinking about it.

Are you getting the picture yet?
Hey, (west Texan for, Hey)
You can be fully in control
Of this moment,
Of your mind,
Of your mood.

By the way,
Pushing her into the pool
Was the last moment
I felt any kind of control of her.
What boggles my mind is,
She then said “Yes”,
And were married shortly thereafter.
Crazy pays.

Try other distracting things:
To putting on a favorite movie,
To calling a good friend
(that’s what they are for, silly),
To taking a nice, warm (or ice cold) bath,
To opening a really good book,
To cuddling with the dog or cat,
To saying something funny,
Or preparing something great to eat
Or eating that great something,
Or shopping
(great therapy, just ask the Ladies)
Or best yet:
Totally immersing yourself in
Helping someone else in need.

You get the idea.

You are in charge, in control
In command of the very next moment,
The next hour
The rest of the beautiful day,
A beautiful Life.
You are so singular in your ability
To think,
That you have nothing more
To be responsible for
Than the next thought
About the next moment.

WE cannot think two thoughts
At the same moment,
(Thank you Lord),
So take control of the only thing
You need to control
Or can control.
And keep on controlling.

Remember,
You simply cannot worry
About tomorrow
While you are on a high speed roller coaster,
(Isn’t that right, Ian?)
In a hot air balloon,
Or full of hot air, like me,
Or right after
You were stung by a honey bee
(It happens when your trying to help them.
We house these beautiful creations
behind our house.)

Life, my friend,
Is a SERIES
Of small pleasures,
Distractions,
Moments
YOU make.

So stay in motion.

Make every “momentous” decision
One for Joy.
Don’t leave room in your mind,
Or your precious Heart,
For even one second of sadness.
God has empowered you
To think,
To do,
To act,
And to Love life.
He Loved you enough
To give you Life.
And He will Love you
Long after.

Yes,
God has empowered you
To Love your life,
To Love every person you meet,
To Love every turtle crossing the street
(they are now ALL endangered species),
Every cricket keeping you awake,
Every river you cross,
Every thought
That flows into the Eternal Sea.

Never stop acting,
Deciding, moving your mind
To do the things that
Bring joy into life.
It is
Your decision.
And it always has been,
And always will be.

Get out of your chair,
Kick open the front door,
And run –
Toward anything or anyone
That has ever made you happy,
That will bring you pure Joy
Again and again and again.

Life,
Is a SERIES
Of small pleasures.

My dear friends,
It is no longer necessary
For you to be unhappy,
To live without Joy
In your life.

Being aware
Of the Love of God
For you,
Of your awareness of life,
It’s limitations,
It’s opportunities
And your ability to
Command the next moment of
Your presence on this Beautiful Earth,
Can free your mind,
And your precious Heart,
From all fear,
Despair, boredom
And hopelessness.

Take time
To contemplate
The rare beauty of your existence,
Of this awesome moment,
That is the true Treasure
Of your brief time.

Capture the next moment in time
Take command of what you do,
And then, share your story.
So many others need help along the way.

My Precious Friend,
You are Morning,
Before Tomorrow comes the night,
And Blessed are the moments
In which you take the time
To sing your song,
To Blossom in God’s Spring,
To bring warmth to Hearts in need,
And feel the Sacred Rain,
That ever so gently falls
In tears,
From all the Joy
You bring.

May the Joy of our Lord
Always abide
In your
Very Precious Heart.

Our school has a large number of
Beautiful Dragon Flies.
In twenty years
I have never been bitten by a mosquito at school.
I don’t know of any other place
Where one can make the same claim.

Dragonflies also feed on other insects like flies.
Once hatched, the larva of the Dragonfly
Becomes an aquatic predator,
Feeding on other aquatic insects,
Including mosquito eggs and larvae.
The mosquito is the deadliest
Creature on planet Earth.
They are the deadliest,
because they spread so much disease.
Mosquitoes are responsible
For the deaths of many hundreds of thousands
Of people every year.
Estimates are difficult to come by.

Maintaining a pesticide free environment
Pays huge dividends.
Not only for the safety of our precious children,
But for so many of God’s other
Stunningly beautiful Creations.
And since Humans are
The number two killer on the planet,
I recommend
Hate Free Environments.
Now there’s an idea
Worth thinking about.
But we haven’t thought about that much,
Have we?

if you are installing a bug zapper to fight mosquitoes,
And have a Dragonfly population,
Turn it off.
It zaps the beautiful dragonflies, too.

My precious Rosie shared countless small moments of pure joy with me for 18 years and one month. She still resides deeply embedded in my heart. Life, is a SERIES Of small pleasures. And I cannot count the number she gave to me. Sometimes, the greatest Gifts are very small indeed. God Blesses us in ways we are not always fully aware of.

The Greatest Gift / Adventure Trip to the Great Wolf Lodge

It is always a wondrous discovery to find that what is truly significant in our lives, the greatest gift we give, is not always apparent. It is not recognized.

Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod – iron furnace stove – bifocal glasses, medical catheter, electrostatic generator,  library chair, swim fins, Daylight Savings Time and odometer. Franklin was among the most talented inventors in this world – past and present. He contributed to the world by giving to it his many inventions at no cost, refusing to own patents on any invention. Ben earned a lot of money, but he could have earned much more if he had patented his inventions. But he never once patented any of his inventions. He truly possessed a love for the people of this Nation. And his willingness to share his ideas for the benefit of all, and without personal gain, was proof of his tremendous compassion.

Franklin also thought about government and was one of the seven “Founding Fathers of the United States of America.”. And his greatest invention is not really given recognition. As a key founding Father of this Nation, he should be recognized for inventing something called, “The United States of America”. Thank you Mr. Franklin.

Like Ben Franklin, Thomas Alva Edison was a scientist and an inventor. The most famous of his inventions was an incandescent light bulb. Besides the light bulb, Edison developed the phonograph and the “kinetoscope,” a small box for viewing moving films. In fact, over one thousand one hundred inventions are credited to Edison. But his greatest invention is never mentioned. It is the research laboratory, which actually led to all of his other inventions. Can you imagine where science and engineering would be without this concept today? Thank you Mr. Edison.

I am also reminded of George Armstrong Custer. Flamboyant in life, Custer has remained one of the best-known figures in American history and popular mythology. He is well known for leading the 7th Cavalry battling the Indian Braves in  “Custer’s Last Stand” at the Battle of LIttle Bighorn. He was nicknamed “Boy General” for being the youngest General to fight in the American Civil War at age 23.

But little known, almost unknown today, is the pivotal role he played at the Battle of Gettysburg. If fact, what he did personally, turned the tide of this battle and of the entire Civil War. General Custer is the unsung hero of the Battle of Gettysburg. His cavalry unit played the critical role in forcing the retreat of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s forces.

Custer, himself, led a valiant charge with approximately 400 union men, his 7th Michigan regiment, against approximately 7,000 Confederate cavalry. Custer personally lead this Union cavalry charge that forced General Jeb Stuart and his cavalry to abandon the fight. It was in leading this charge were Custer prevented these Confederate forces from joining others and, thus, foiling General Lee’s plans to cut the Union forces in two.

Custer played such a huge role in making Robert E. Lee retreat that General Philip Sheridan bought and gave the Appomattox surrender table to Custer and his family. Mr. Custer was thanked.

My friends, much like the notable people mentioned above, the greatest contribution that you shall ever make, is a story that will never be told. It will not be recognized. Yes, I can hear it now, as I have so many times over the years. You are recognized for being a good provider, or for countless hours of dedicated service, or for being a great parent or an outstanding educator.

But in my mind, the greatest gift that you give a child is never considered, never thought of, never mentioned. After all the years and all the tears, after all the dedication and suffering and toil, the fullness of your gift, the stunning beauty of it, the alarming reality and fascinating transcendence of being, results in giving those you most love in this world, your treasured children, the gift of tomorrow.

Thank you.

Our Adventure Trip

Photos from our adventure trip last week to the Great Wolf Lodge will soon be included in our Trips Portfolio. at andersonschool.net.

We truly enjoyed our visit and could not believe the number and variety of activities. Please have a safe and happy summer. I look forward to seeing you as you unwrap the precious gift of tomorrow.

 

Kylee fell in love with the son of Great Wolf.