"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty…And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."
– John F. Kennedy January 20, 1961
"America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents. …In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned… Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."
– Barack H. Obama January 20, 2009
48 years between those eloquent speeches. President Kennedy’s stirring words were uttered before I (and probably most of you) was born. Now President Obama has arrived on the national scene to motivate us once again with his eloquence and a healthy dose of good old fashioned common sense. I really asked myself, "Am I playing my part?" Are you? Let us take these powerful words to heart and do more than hear but really listen and take action to remake America in the image our founders had in mind.
Check out this link and be inspired to become an involved citizen by signing the pledge to be a “Born Again American.” http://www.bornagainamerican.org/
Friday, January 30, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
SAROYAN’S TRUTH
It is a brand new year. And time to renew our resolve to improve our lives by reconnecting to our faith. A faith based life fills the voids that often create the question, “ Is this all there is?” I am a traditionalist, so the Bible is my source for strength and wisdom, but I realize that not everyone is grounded in that foundation and I have a healthy respect for all that serves as a groundwork of faith for others.
A few years ago I watched a prominent actor being interviewed on the television show, “Actors Studio.” When queried if he was a devotee of the Bible, his response was that the author and playwright, William Saroyan’s “Time of Your Life” served as his platform for wisdom and truth. Being an admirer of this particular actor, my curiosity was piqued and so I went in search of this piece of prose, which follows. See what you think. Here it is:
In the time of your life, live – so in that good time there shall be no ugliness or death for yourself or any life your life touches.
Seek goodness everywhere, and when it is found bring it out of its hiding-place and let it be free and unashamed.
Place in matter and flesh the least of the values, for these are things that hold death and must pass away.
Discover in all things that which shines and is beyond corruption.
Encourage virtue in whatever heart it may have been driven into secrecy and sorrow by the shame and terror of the world.
Ignore the obvious, for it is unworthy of the clear eye and the kindly heart.
Be the inferior of no man, nor of any man be the superior.
Remember that every man is a variation of yourself. No man’s guilt is not yours nor is any man’s innocence a thing apart.
Despise evil and ungodliness, but not men of ungodliness or evil. These understand.
Have no shame in being kindly and gentle, but if the time comes in the time of your life to kill, kill and have no regret.
In the time of your life, live – so that in that wondrous time you shall not have added to the misery and sorrow of the world, but shall smile to the infinite delight and mystery of it.
We really aren’t ever alone nor do we ever have to be if we cement our foundations with a faith based life. My New Year advice: We should share our faith if it is part of our core values, resuscitate it if we have allowed ourselves to wander and be prompt and deliberate in selecting our faith platform if we have been searching.
Many Blessings,
A few years ago I watched a prominent actor being interviewed on the television show, “Actors Studio.” When queried if he was a devotee of the Bible, his response was that the author and playwright, William Saroyan’s “Time of Your Life” served as his platform for wisdom and truth. Being an admirer of this particular actor, my curiosity was piqued and so I went in search of this piece of prose, which follows. See what you think. Here it is:
In the time of your life, live – so in that good time there shall be no ugliness or death for yourself or any life your life touches.
Seek goodness everywhere, and when it is found bring it out of its hiding-place and let it be free and unashamed.
Place in matter and flesh the least of the values, for these are things that hold death and must pass away.
Discover in all things that which shines and is beyond corruption.
Encourage virtue in whatever heart it may have been driven into secrecy and sorrow by the shame and terror of the world.
Ignore the obvious, for it is unworthy of the clear eye and the kindly heart.
Be the inferior of no man, nor of any man be the superior.
Remember that every man is a variation of yourself. No man’s guilt is not yours nor is any man’s innocence a thing apart.
Despise evil and ungodliness, but not men of ungodliness or evil. These understand.
Have no shame in being kindly and gentle, but if the time comes in the time of your life to kill, kill and have no regret.
In the time of your life, live – so that in that wondrous time you shall not have added to the misery and sorrow of the world, but shall smile to the infinite delight and mystery of it.
We really aren’t ever alone nor do we ever have to be if we cement our foundations with a faith based life. My New Year advice: We should share our faith if it is part of our core values, resuscitate it if we have allowed ourselves to wander and be prompt and deliberate in selecting our faith platform if we have been searching.
Many Blessings,
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