Marie Curie was Polish-born, but is known for her work in France as a chemist and physicist. She lived from 1867 to 1934. She was the first female professor at the University of Paris and remains the first and only twice-honored Nobel laureate in two different sciences.

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.

We should not fear what we understand, and we should not fear knowing that we don't understand everything. Our hunger for knowledge should feed our appetites and never quite satisfy our palate.

Too much time has passed without typing in quotes to make us ponder. Here's one a good friend of mine relays often. It comes from the book of Matthew 6:4. (Thanks Joe)

"Do not worry for tomorrow;
Tomorrow will take care of itself.
Sufficient for each day is its own evil."

It's somewhat amusing to me how much emphasis we put on tomorrow, and how little we focus on today - what can be accomplished, now. Carpe diem.

Image by Caravaggio.

I recently traveled to Abilene, Kansas and while there, visited the President Dwight D. Eisenhower historical site, memorial, library and Presidential grounds.

This is an excerpt from his 1953 Inaugural Address...

"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."

I am fascinated by previous Presidents and the speeches they gave to the American people while in Office. Oddly enough though, it seems that the words spoken do not often correlate to their actions in office. In this instance, I believe President Eisenhower words speak to today's people, perhaps more clearly than to those 54 years ago.

Esther "Eppie" Pauline Friedman Lederer wrote a syndicated advice column under the pen name of Ann Landers. Although I have not read any of her columns to memory, this quote came upon me and I think it's fair advice worth sharing.

"Maturity is the ability to live in peace with that which we cannot change."

There is something to be said about the person that lives with that which cannot be changed. How much greater of a person I would be if I could maturely accept life's givings with grace and gratefulness.

During the 1800's lived a gentleman with the pen name, Josh Billings. His real name was Henry Wheeler Shaw and he is considered perhaps the second most famous humor writer and lecturer in the second half of the 19th century after Mark Twain, whom also used a pen name.

"Occasions are rare; and those who know how to seize upon them are rarer"

Soemtimes I fail to realize that occasions as Mr. Billings says, are 'rare' as I go about the day-to-day. And then, it hits me. Wow. What gifts we are blessed with, those occasions.

Christian author Halford E. Luccock said these words,

No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it.

I'm constantly reminded that 'we' are in this together. That, and I'm a lousy whistler.

British writer Freya Stark was not only one of the first Western women to travel through the Arabian deserts (Hadhramaut); she often travelled solo into areas where few Europeans, let alone women, had ever been.

There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do.

People will call it our conscience, but I feel its though we have this little alarm devise inside us that is constantly monitoring what we are doing. When we do the things we are supposed to like being honest, keeping promises, etc., it stays quiet. But, when we get close to doing the wrong, the things we know we shouldn't, it comes alive. The buzzer sounds, the lights flash and it starts jumping all around. At first, it's subtle and barely audible, but then it's blaringly loud and I just can't ignore it any longer. It's when guilt sets in.

I don't know if we can always control our emotions, but I do feel that we should be able to control our actions, and we must. Seeing is not believing. Believing is doing.

American Opera Conductor Sarah Caldwell said these words,

Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can - there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.

I am constantly amazed at what I can learn by simply stopping to listen, taking it all in.

Today's quote comes from Swiss psychiatrist and founder of analytical psychology, Carl Jung.

"The man who promises everything is sure to fulfill nothing."

In short, do not make a promise, you can't keep.

George H. Lorimer was the editor of the Saturday Evening Post weekly magazine from 1899 to 1937. He wrote these words,

"Back of every noble life there are principles that have fashioned it."

I believe one becomes noble only by having lived by principle.

This post is dedicated to you, Grandmother.

I think myself 'stupid' to say it, but until recently I had never been into reading. I enjoyed the occassional latest-greatest fiction novel, but I had never developed a keen interest in the likes of Emerson, Steinbeck, Camus, Churchill and others until now. It brought me to the realization that a person develops their own mind and principles through acquiring knowledge; transforming that information into wisdom. Ralph Waldo Emerson said these words,

"Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles."

I believe that he is speaking of action, for acquired knowledge of wisdom only has meaningful value through action or deliberate inaction.

American Novelist and Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck gives us a few words of wisdom. He was born this day in 1902.

“No man really knows about other human beings. The best he can do is to suppose that they are like himself.”

There is a flaw in my thinking that baits me to believe that I know how someone else is thinking; for I do not understand how even I came about my thoughts. Yet, I continue to try. Why?

On this day in 1932, Johnny Cash was born. If you've seen the movie portraying his life, you'd know he had struggles. This is one bit of advice he gave.

"You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space."

I never got to know my Grandfather, my father's father. He passed away when I was just a child barely 3. I've heard about the man he was and he loved to hear the songs of Johnny Cash, telling it like it was, writing/singing from the heart. He was also a man that believed in another day, another chance to make things right. This entry is dedicated to him.

The humble CS Lewis writ,

“God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.”

Psalm 27:3-5.

General and first American President George Washington is honored this day of his birth in 1732. He is considered one of America's founding fathers and he had these words to say.

“The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion”

Though he also made mark in saying,

“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.”

To me these words live on...

“The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained”

Amen, I say to that.

17th century English philosoher John Locke said this,

"It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of truth."

I ask myself whether I learn more from my errors, or unveiling the truth. In truth, there is light and I believe it is in the light that I also discover my errors.

One more thought from John Denver to finish the work week.

The best thing you have to offer the world is yourself. You don't have to be anyone else. If you do, you are second best. To achieve success is to be first, and that's being yourself.

I am and must continue to come to the realization that I am imperfect. Despite it, I must be myself. In as such, I put my trust in Him for strength to overcome my flaws, my insecurities and above all else, my fears.

I did not listen to the songs by John Denver during the days he lived his life. Though recently, I've come to understand why so many were moved by his music. He writ and sang with passion and purpose.

There has never been a time on Earth like we see today. What we need are more ways to experience our interconnectedness - it is a precursor to deep love. So in this quickening light, with the dawn of each new day, let us look for love. Let us no longer struggle. Let us ever become who we most want to be. As we begin to be who we truly are, the world will be a better place.

Isn't that all that God asks of me? To be true to Him and do His will.

There's a book I'm reading and in it, this line spoke to me. I've discovered this thought prior in my own recent writings, yet with other literal phrasing. Author James McDonald says it this way.

I don't want an "A" for appearance - I want the real thing in my heart. I don't want to look right - I want to be right.

In further thought, I can undestand the meaning Dr. McDonald may be trying to express, but it must be taken a step further from being 'right' to 'righteous in living'.

Hellen Keller became blind before she was two from illness. In my perspective, her earthly illness became one of humanity's greatest gifts.

Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold.

There is nothing wrong with having strength. Perhaps there is nothing wrong with having fear. Maybe it is by having such fear, that we find the greatness of the strength given to us.

Theologian and Bishop Jeremy Taylor bears these thoughts,

Enjoy the blessings of this day, if God sends them; and the evils of it bear patiently and sweetly: for this day only is ours, we are dead to yesterday, and we are not yet born to the morrow.

This passage reminds me to seize the moment and not squander it with worries, doubts or concerns. The day is given as a gift, just as yesterday was. Yesterday's wrappings are now old and the surprise inside unveiled. Why look towards tomorrow, when we've barely begun unwrapping today's. A 'thank you' should be said.

I feel like today is a good day to hear from the Charles M. Schulz character, Charlie Brown. He makes me smile; the innocence, a pure heart of good intentions.

“In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back.”

Too often, I try to find the shortcut. There really isn't one. And if there was and I took it, what would I have learned? What would have been the point?

We need to read the whole book to understand, and then, read it again.

Author Dave Dravecky noted,

I've come to realize that real growth of character takes place in the valleys of life.

The last place I wanted to be was in the valley and to feel the heartache of the descent with blinded sight and an ignorant mind, alone.

However, what is learned in the valley can only be experienced there, in person. That knowledge, that wisdom cannot be felt by reading or contemplation. Nor is the descent ever experienced alone.

Is it written in 2nd Chapter of James, verse 24,

You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

I believe that 'action of faith' is part of the climb. It is an exhilerating adventure that He has always desired His children to experience.

On the morning of this full moon, I return to one of my favorite wise elders, Albert Einstein.

"Only a life lived for others is worth living."

This quote is simple, yet intuitive of our greater life's purpose.

I looked in the mirror today and saw a person screaming to be free! Do something! Change. Make a difference.

The person in the mirror was the 'me' of yesterday. Everything thing that I am today is a culmination of all my yesterdays, but it's not who 'I am'. It's people knowing me from my actions, my words and all the things of the past. And in the blink of my eye I heard a voice tell me, 'Today is a new day to be the person I want you to be.'

It's an opportunity to overwrite the wrongs, begin anew. This today is given to me for a reason. Who am I to squander it. I rejoice and am grateful.

The world was given a glimpse of the holocaust through the eyes of a young girl, named Anne Frank. Her feelings have inspired people of every race and religion. With love, we remember her this day.

The final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.

He has allowed me to create who I am and what I will be. I hope I am making Him proud.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was taken a decade before my birth. I only know of him through history books. Until now, the only words I had heard him speak were from 'I have a Dream....' In researching this last day and choosing which quote to post, I found this audio track posted at the The King Center. I invite you to listen to him.

I listened to it once, and I felt Dr. King's passion. I listened to it again, and I heard his words. I listened a third time, and I understood.

Recognize, he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That is the new definition of greatness... and everybody can be great, because everybody can serve...
You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love, and you can be that servant.

Dr. King, your passion lives and continues today. Thank you.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired Americans and individuals around the world. He spoke words and took action that brought unity and non-violence with the principle of unconditional love.

"If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream, the Trumpet of Conscience.”

Dr. King reminds me that beneath this armor is that Trumpet of Conscience, wanting to be played.

This statement from Dr. King hits me especially hard.

“Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

What he must have went through to overcome the obstacles he faced, and the faith in God he must have had to take that first step. The times and circumstances are different, but the obstacle is the same. The obstacle is not the haters or the bashers, or the unholy triad of the desires of this flesh, worldly powers and the devil's temptations, but the depths of my faith and everlasting belief, to take the first step.

In 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. released a book entitled Strength to Love. It contains sixteen sermons and one essay entitled "Pilgrimage to Nonviolence." The book was one of many which he wrote conveying his beliefs and stance on the conflicts he confronted.

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

I find my strength in Truth; to seek it, unveil it, choose it, act upon it, and to believe it in all its humbled glory.

Though spoken many years ago, these words by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are still powerfully true today.

“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”

I feel this occurs when we allow so-called 'science and logic' to give explained reason for our actions, rather than doing what is unexplainably right.

Dr. King said further,

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

No matter if I am right or wrong, let me speak up and know that I am alive, expressing that which I believe.

I attempted to find just one quote from Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that tugged at my heart this day, but there are several. So this week, we honor Dr. King.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

We live in the darkness because we choose to. Hate because we do not allow ourselves to love, or be loved. Ignorance, nor innocence is an excuse.

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”

As much as it pains Him, God gives us a choice. In darkness, there is hate. In light, there is love. Which will you choose?

Author Robert Tamasy wrote,

"If we are to be salt and light in our world, we need to go where the lost are... The Holy Spirit will start working in their lives as they watch ours, and then they will try to figure out why we are different."

It is said, You will know these people by what they do, by their fruits. (Matthew 7:16)

It is amazing to me how we can learn from what we've done, that I too have been lost, and the feeling of the Spirit working in my life, opening my heart and soul.

Over the past year and a half, I have learned from the quotes of so many. I have also learned I am what you call a 'collector', loving to learn and experiencing new 'input' into life. It is a blessing to live in such an abundant world.

Along the path of collecting these quotes, I have developed an appreciation for Albert Einstein. Please allow me to share one of my favorites.

"The search for truth and knowledge is one of the finest attributes of man, though often it is most loudly voiced by those who strive for it the least."

You learn alot about yourself when looking in the mirror, being honest who I am, and when you take time to reflect. I further learned not only that it's important to reflect, but the reasons why. I must thank a friend whom had enough courage and love in her in heart to tell me just that. Thank you.

Each day I use a planner to organize my tasks and prioritize. There's also a quote at the top of each page, though its rare that I find one that I wish to share via this blog. Today's is an exception.

Historical leader, General and American President, George Washington eloquently said,

True friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.

It is then that we discover who we truly are, the friend, myself.

I feel all this thinking about me is selfish. My mistakes, ignorance, regrets, on and on and on. I cannot change past. I am allowing 'me' to get in the way... and I ain't gonna win. He's gonna get me, because it is where I am supposed to be. There is a greater plan than I am can and am meant to understand; my purpose is to act with unconditional trust, guiding faith, His will.

The prophet Hosea says,

"He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; He has injured us, but he will bind up our wounds."

It further draws me to one my favorite CS Lewis passages,

He is not safe, but He is good.

Sometimes I feel it's a moving target. Me. Flip-flopping from reliving the past and what I had planned for the future. My mind a-wandering and me trying to fight my old habits and old-ways of thinking. It's hard to make a change. It's hard to go about your day-to-day. It's exciting and a challenge and scary all at the same time. Maybe because I feel that I'm alone making the change, and although I'm told i have the support of friends, the only person that can make the change, turn it over and surrender it all up, is me.

Today, I turn to American theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr for words that express my thoughts and my request.

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Dale Galloway once wrote,

"A rose only becomes beautiful and blesses others when it opens up and blooms. Its greatest tragedy is to stay in a tight-closed bud, never fulfilling its potential."

I don't know if I can be called a rose, but i do know that I have been and I now challenge myself to open to bloom. I was closed so tight that it caused pain to the person I love, and that closed-bud selfishness upset the entire garden that I thought and tried to be a beautiful part of.

Lord, let the nurturing continue. Let your grace and love shine upon the one and those I hurt. Let your strength and encouragement shower me. Let it create a rainbow.

This next gentleman pens a feeling I've had for some time. He is a respected composer and songwriter, Mr. Porter Cole.

"I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences. I can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences. Don't fence me in."

Why does the fencing take place? There's an interesting test I've recently taken. What values are my own? What values have been imposed? Which will I choose to live? I can tell you, I've been fenced in way too long. Playwright Christopher Fry has so keenly written,

"Life is a hypocrite if I can't live, The way it moves me!"

Photo by Wayne Mumford.

Author and Pastor Dr. James McDonald writes,

"I want every detail of every circumstance of every moment of every day to awaken my heart to the reality of God and His nearness."

To live with this thought, to feel the presence of God, to see God in all things, to experience God, is to know God - and thyself.