Emigrating to America in 1849 from Scotland, Explorer and Naturalist John Muir was responsible for establishing Yosemite as a National Park. Mr. Muir is pictued on the California State Quarter issued in 2005.

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.

Into the time period of Advent, the days following Easter, we continue with the words of President Thomas Jefferson...

Had the doctrines of Jesus been preached always as pure as they came from his lips, the whole civilized world would now have been Christians.

And if I may add, the world would be filled with Love, rightfully so.

Image is from the collection of Danny Hahlbohm

We learn from the wise words of Mother Theresa...

If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.

Greek philosopher Epicurus quoted so wisely...

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.

How true it is that we often do not appreciate the little things, the blessings of life in earnest for more - but at the same time, not really understanding why we want 'more.'

Words from my good friend, Winnie the Pooh...

You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.

Sometimes wisdom comes from those you least expect. A lesson that wisdom is within us, we just often fail to realize it.

Master Teacher and Lord Jesus Christ gives us this message...

In the world you will have trouble, but take courage for I have conquered the world.

On this Good Friday, we quote the teachings of Jesus Christ.

If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you.
If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.

And in His words...

Live in me, let me live in you.

On this day of Holy Thursday in Christian society, we hear from the 3rd American President and Declaration of Independence author, Thomas Jefferson.

Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern, which have come under my observation, none appear to me so pure as that of Jesus.

Britian's Noble Laureate Bertrand Russell tell us...

To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of civilization.

I guess that means no television. =(

Again I refer to 'Honest Abe' for words of inspiration.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

-Abraham Lincoln
16 President of the U.S.

The real-to-life Mark Twain hath writ...

Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did.

So throw off your bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Motivational Expert Brian Tracy says this...

Negative emotions are the either triggered by fear of loss or fear of failure.

Simply refuted, fear nothing and do not fail.

President Abraham Lincoln commented this on Success...

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other thing.

Our determination and perseverence will take us over troubled waters and through the valleys of challenged times. We must remain focused and forge ahead.

"We only know what we know: our knowledge."
-Don Miguel Angel Ruiz

Okay, how true is that!

"We have to move from the illusion of certainty to the certainty of illusion."
-Sam Keen

How often do we think to know something is certain, when reality snaps us back to discover the real truth. It reminds us to forever be in a mode of learning, or as said, being a student.

"In quarreling about the shadow
we often lose the substance."
-AESOP

In a most recent discussion/debate with a friend, i realized or should i say, it reminded me that we often get so tangled in the superficial that we become blinded and do not see the core of the objective. We ignore the truth which is in front of us - lost in ourselves and our emotions.

Today's Quote:

"Act the way you'd like to be and soon you'll be the way you act."
-George W. Crane

Well said Mr. Crane. It is our habits that define us.

Today's Quote:

"Once the whole is divided,
the parts needs names. There are
already enough names."
-Tao Te Ching

We are one society, one people, one world coming from one God. Why we think we are all so different and seperate defies everything around and within us.

Today's Quote:

"There is no place to which we could flee from God
which is outside of God."
-Paul Tillich


I ask you this, does it matter which religion you are if the core of your faith and beliefs are to serve God?

Has the politeness of society gone awry?

We are busy, we are stressed, we are self-absorbed. Is that where politeness has gone? I ask, whose job is it to be polite if it doesn't start with 'I'?