Anti-Slavery Advocate and American Journalist Charles A. Dana was an instrumental proponent of free speech during the trying times leading up to, during and following the Civil War. His expressions led him to close ties with American Presidents and the decisions they made.

Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth or the only truth.

This human system is quite limited really. What I have come to know or learn is not necessarily absolute truth. Although in my mind, I think that it is. The same goes for my opinions. My opinion is not necessarily true, though it is what I stand upright fighting in defense. It makes me think... I must be forever learning, understanding, realizing that I may not always be right. And perhaps not 'wrong' - wise enough to understand others perspective, become knowledge in search of Truth.

A product of Abilene, Kansas, the 34th US President Dwight David Eisenhower was instrumental connecting the Union with the creation of the Interstate Highway System. Although he justified its use as a necessity to ensure America's Military Defense Strategy during the times of the Cold War, its greatest impact has been economic.

'Worry' is a word that I don't allow myself to use.

If I follow the guidance and thoughts of earlier posts this week, I have created my optimism, my own hope, my own rules and have trust and faith in all that is done is His will. Why should I waste earthly time with 'worry'?

Recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Albert Camus is considered by many to be a great French writer and philosopher. His concept focused on people, less on ideas.

Integrity has no need of rules.

No need to comment further.

Born on this day in 1895 in China, Lyn Yutang is honored today as a prolific writer, editor and philosopher.

Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence.

I believe that we make our own hope. Optimism comes from our belief that good is possible, truth will prevail and all that is evil will subside. My perseverance will lead me to find, create and walk on that road. It is a path of discovery that gives me comfort, allows me to breathe and puts me at peace.

While I am not a real fan of her consult and far-side opinions, I do agree and promote her quote this day.

Dr. Joyce Brothers is a family psychologist who has received fame and most widely known for 40-plus years of work as a syndiciated advice columnist.

Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.

It's amazing what I hear when I let the silence speak.

American Journalist Shana Alexander was the first female writer and editor for Life Magazine. She also appeared regularly on 60 Minutes.

The paradox of reality is that no image is as compelling as the one which exists only in the mind's eye.

No matter what the optometrist says, our mind's eye is the dominant one. I must be careful not to let it see only as it wants. Though powerful, I have been give the power to control the reality I see and live.

French philosopher of free will and poetic letterman Denis Diderot was born today, on October 5, 1713. He is most known for his involvement of the work, Encyclopédie.

Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things."

My mind wants to be challanged. My heart wants to be loved. My soul wants to be inspired. And while I want all of those things, the truest part of me yearns just as badly and even more to love, give, share, live and be.

American historian and musician Bernice Johnson Reagon founded the a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock in 1973.

Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are.

I firmly believe we are only given challenges that we are capable of handling through His grace.

Writer of the 1922 novel Ulysses, Irishman James Joyce is one of the great 20th Century writers. We learn from his thoughts this day.

I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or some previous day.

Though our actions define us, we are blessed with the opportunity to do better today than yesterday for tomorrow.

The Spanish author and philosopher Senor Miguel de Unamuno gave a new outlook to self-introspection. To note, two of his works — La Agonía del Cristianismo (The Agony of Christianity) and his novella "San Manuel Bueno, mártir" — are included on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum of the Catholic Church and are still considered works that orthodox Roman Catholics are encouraged not to read.

Only in solitude do we find ourselves; and in finding ourselves, we find in ourselves all our brothers in solitude.

While it is my belief much good can come from seeking solitude, we are not meant to live in a silo. We are human. And it is blessing to us to live, share and love.

Today, I turn to the country of my heritage and ponder on the words spoken by its leader. He is was last President of Czecholslovakia and became the First President of the Czech Republic. Vaclav Havel has been an inspiration to many in his country. He is also known as a gifted writed and dramatist.

The real test of a man is not when he plays the role he wants for himself, but when he plays the role destiny has for him.

I need to take Vaclav's words one more step from 'plays the role destiny has for him' to 'when he becomes the role'.

The distinction takes it beyond 'acting' to the core of believing, doing, being, living.

Rabbi Harold Kushner said these words,

None of us can be truly human in isolation. The qualities that make us human emerge only in the ways we relate to other people.

For sometime, I lived with the thought that I could handle problems all on my own. Overcome things all by myself. I can't. I'm not made to. Part of letting go, surrendering, is letting others into your life. Trusting. Respecting. Loving.

American pop singer Tori Amos is known for her expressive lyrics. Her emotional dedication has led to a loyal following and fans trusting her and her music.

Some people are afraid of what they might find if they try to analyze themselves too much, but you have to crawl into your wounds to discover where your fears are. Once the bleeding starts, the cleansing can begin.

For me, it was more difficult to make the cut into the wound, then the crawling in part. Its easier to not see or ignore that the infection grows and lies under the skin. Once deep inside, the cells of world aid in the healing process.

A Japanese Buddhist monk and philosopher, Dōgen Zenji lived during the early 1200's. He is known as the founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan.

When we discover that the truth is already in us, we are all at once our original selves.

I wrote in my journal last night, the truth is already inside of me. I have been in darkness long enough, I need to dig deep and turn on the light.

A poet, an author, a teacher, an ordained Minister, Patrick Overton wrote a poem on Faith. This is what it says,

When you have come to the edge of all light that you know, and are about to drop off into the darkness of the unknown, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly.

Taking myself to the edge is where I must stand. The closer to the edge, the more I discover. Black is all one color, but it is in the Light that I learn and find myself.

Sophia Loren is considered by many to be the most famous female Italian film actress. She won an Academy Award for her work in the 1960 film, Two Women.

Today we listen to one of her quotes.

If you haven't cried, your eyes can't be beautiful.

I have never felt so vulnerable, humbled, honest and free as when letting it all go and crying. It's though I'ved tapped into the inner core of me, filled with so much emotion that tears need to be released so I don't explode inside. From my eyes, the beauty Sophia Loren is talking comes from opening and sharing what's within, expressing my innermost feelings, the real me.

While I don't agree with all of his business sales advice, Tom Hopkins had these words to say. Taken in the right context, they are very good to live by.

Getting in touch with your true self must be your first priority.

I cannot serve others if I don't know the true me. I must dig deeper to find me. Let Him in me. I must lift the gates, open the doors, even break the windows that won't or that I have sealed never wanting to open.

The Salvation Army was created by ministers William and Catherine Booth. It was originally called the Christian Revival Association, then the East London Christian Mission, and once moved to beyond serving East London, The Christian Mission. It was finally named the Salvation Army in 1878, 13 years after its original founding.

The organization was established, in their words, to win the world for Jesus by bringing the whole world under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

The Salvation Army was created with God's calling to care for his children. Come as you are - broken, tattered, lost, confused.

William Booth said,

The greatness of a man's power is the measure of his surrender.

The critical question are, "Why am I surrendering?" and "Who I am you surrendering to?"

I can surrender to myself to me or to someone else, but that will be me again thinking that I have the power to heal me. The only power is that which has been given to me. Surrendering is giving up yourself to God. Undoubtedly believing and knowing that He will care for me as one of his children. As much as it hurts and tears me in two, I must release the person in my life that I hold so tight, so that He can do His work as she needs, so that He can do His work in me.

Love is not about affection and compromise. Love is not about the worldly things this society teaches. The love we are seeking is His. It is everlasting and it is His love that we will find peace, comfort and be at One.

Dr. Laurence J. Peter is labeled as one of America's foremost hierarchiologists. Don't know what that is? No worries, neither does Webster's Dictionary.

In any case, we turn to this Vancouver born educational doctor for his quote.

Speak when you are angry - and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret.

How right he is. Its like the top being blown off the radiator with big bellowing steam shooting everywhere. I have never become uncontrollably angry. I have never been in a top of your lungs shouting match or angry enough that i thought of any type of physical harm. Instead, my anger turns to disappointment in the action. I can recall instances where anger become synonomous with confusion. I say that meaning that when confused, i can't think straight. Being thrown in a mouse-like maze with a countdown clock and only one escape route, but no ideas of how to reach it. I believe anger is a reaction in which a person fails to control their emotions. The mind is racing to regain control, or take control. Further, it reacts in defense shutting down all points of entry, closing the windows, gating the doors in self-preservation.

Where does anger come from? Is my state of confusion and neediness to understand, my comparable anger? I've spoken in anger/confusion, and regretted the conversations. Its no wonder how others can't understand when i've spoken without making sense in my own mind.

In closing for today, anger is as much about confusion or losing control, as it is about regret. I know that could have avoided angered circumstance by conscious thought, decision and action. Perhaps, the anger is only a reflection of the disappointment i feel for failing myself, and what i know to be true, of what i am truly capable of.

Today we learn from two great men.

The Pressman, Statesman, Writer and Inventor Benjamin Franklin shaped much of America's early development with this persuasive, yet humbling arguements of unity and perserverance.

He that blows the coals in quarrels that he has nothing to do with, has no right to complain.

And in much the same tone, we turn to the dedicated American scholar, pastor and professor Dr. William Arther Ward. Dr. Ward is considered to be one of America's most quoted writers of inspirational maxims.

We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.

So quickly to judge, too often looking at the negative rather than the positive. It's a line that I find myself teetering on lately, but have now gotten to the point that I am fed-up with the teetering and the negativity. I enjoy optimism. Seeing the positive, seeing the beauty, seeing the blessings given.