Saturday, May 28, 2011

Rabbi Sherwin Wine on Patriotism

There are two visions of America. One precedes our founding fathers and finds its roots in the harshness of our puritan past. It is very suspicious of freedom, uncomfortable with diversity, hostile to science, unfriendly to reason, contemptuous of personal autonomy. It sees America as a religious nation. It views patriotism as allegiance to God. It secretly adores coercion and conformity. Despite our constitution, despite the legacy of the Enlightenment, it appeals to millions of Americans and threatens our freedom.

The other vision finds its roots in the spirit of our founding revolution and in the leaders of this nation who embraced the age of reason. It loves freedom, encourages diversity, embraces science and affirms the dignity and rights of every individual. It sees America as a moral nation, neither completely religious nor completely secular. It defines patriotism as love of country and of the people who make it strong. It defends all citizens against unjust coercion and irrational conformity.

This second vision is our vision. It is the vision of a free society. We must be bold enough to proclaim it and strong enough to defend it against all its enemies.

Rabbi Sherwin Wine

Source: wisdomquotes.com

Mohandas K. Gandhi on Mindfulness

The Roots of Violence:
Wealth without work,
Pleasure without conscience,
Knowledge without character,
Commerce without morality,
Science without humanity,
Worship without sacrifice,
Politics without principles.

Mohandas K. Gandhi

Source: wisdomquotes.com 

Howard Zinn on Perspective

To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.

What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places -- and there are so many -- where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.

And if we do act, in however small a way, we don't have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.

Howard Zinn

Source: wisdomquotes.com

Khalil Gibran on Grief

When you are sorrowful
look into your heart
and you shall see that
you are weeping
for that which has been
your delight

Khalil Gibran

Source: memories-are-forever.org

Marketing Profs on Facing Fears

The only way out is through.

Marketing Profs
Get to the Po!nt,
Vol. 4, No. 21, May 27, 2011

Source: marketingprofs.com

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Will Rogers on Modern Times

Everything is changing. People are taking the comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke

Will Rogers
1879 - 1935 

Source: wisdomquotes.com

Will Rogers on Honesty

I have always noticed that people will never laugh at anything that is not based on truth.

Will Rogers

Source: wisdomquotes.com

Ethel Barrymore on Perspective

You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself.

Ethel Barrymore

Source: wisdomquotes.com

e.e. cummings on gratitude

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.

e.e. cummings

Source: quotegarden.com

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Fred Alan Wolf on Faith

The quantum leap... is to be taken both literally and figuratively.  In its literal sense, the quantum leap is the tiny but explosive jump that a particle of matter undergoes in moving from one plane to another.  The new physics - quantum physics - indicates that all particles composing the physical universe must move in that fashion or cease to exist.  Since you and I are composed of atomic annd subatomic matter, we, too, must "take the quantum leap."

In the figurative sense, taking the quantum leap means taking a risk, going off into an uncharted territory with no guide to follow.  Such a venture is an uncertain affair at best.  It also means risking something that no one else would are risk.

Fred Alan Wolf
Taking the Quantum Leap
©1981

Friday, May 20, 2011

Joseph Campbell on Rapture

Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.

Joseph Campbell

Leonardo da Vinci on Cats

The smallest feline is a masterpiece.

Leonardo da Vinci

Source: wisdomquotes.com

Linda Foor on Acceptance

Cats become a part of every meditation.

Linda Foor

Helen Keller on True Love

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.

Helen Keller

James Taylor on Letting Go

You Can Close Your Eyes

Well, the sun is surely sinking down
But the moon is slowly rising
So this old world must still be spinning 'round
And I still love you

So close your eyes
You can close your eyes
It's alright
I don't know no love songs
And I can't sing the blues anymore
But I can sing this song
And you can sing this song
When I'm gone

It won't be long before another day
We're gonna have a good time
And no one's going to take that time away
You can stay as long as you like

So close your eyes
You can close your eyes
It's alright
I don't know no love songs
And I can't sing the blues anymore
But I can sing this song
And you can sing this song
When I'm gone

James Taylor
Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, 1971

For Sam, thank you and farewell

Source: jamestaylor.com

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Edward R. Murrow on Critical Thought

A great many people think they are thinking when they are really rearranging their prejudices.

Edward R. Murrow

Source: goodreads.com