09/30/2020

 The only index by which to judge a government or a way of life is by the quality of the people it acts upon. No matter how noble the objectives of a government, if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life, and breeds ill will and suspicion -- it is an evil government. -Eric Hoffer

09/29/2020

 Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

09/08/20

 The real index of civilization is when people are kinder than they need to be. -Louis de Bernières

06/22/20

Becoming Father the Nurturer rather than just Father the Provider enables a man to fully feel and express his humanity and his masculinity.  Fathering is the most masculine thing a man can do. -Frank Pittman

05/11/20

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. -Washington Irving

01/03/20

Gray skies are just clouds passing over. -Duke Ellington

01/02/19

Spontaneity is one of the joys of existence, especially if you prepare for it in advance. -Alan Dean Foster

01/01/20

There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don't expect you to save the world, I do think it's not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call friend, engage those among you who are visionary, and remove from your life those who offer you depression, despair, and disrespect. -Nikki Giovanni

12/31/19

Never give in and never give up. -Hubert H. Humphrey

12/30/19

If you care about something you have to protect it – If you’re lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it. -John Irving

12/27/19

Surprising what you can dig out of books if you read long enough, isn't it? -Robert Jordan

12/26/19

Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer. -Dean Koontz

12/25/19

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime. -Laura Ingalls Wilder

12/24/19

The most exhausting thing in life is being insincere. -Anne Morrow Lindbergh

12/23/19

There is one tradition in America I am proud to inherit. It is our first freedom and the truest expression of our Americanism: the ability to dissent without fear. It is our right to utter the words, "I disagree." We must feel at liberty to speak those words to our neighbors, our clergy, our educators, our news media, our lawmakers and, above all, to the one among us we elect President. -Natalie Merchant

12/20/19

Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure. -Henri Nouwen

12/19/19

Today you will say things you can predict and other things you could never imagine this minute. Don't reject them, let them come through when they're ready, don't think you can plan it all out. This day will never, no matter how long you live, happen again. It is exquisitely singular. It will never again be exactly repeated. -Naomi Shihab Nye

12/18/19

Closing your eyes to the cruelty of life is, in my opinion, both stupid and sinful. There's very little we can do about it. So we have to at least acknowledge it. -Amos Oz

12/17/19

Standing before the refrigerator: If I have to ask myself if I am hungry, I’m not. -Hugh Prather

12/16/19

In fact, of course, there is no secret knowledge; no one knows anything that can't be found on a shelf in the public library. -Daniel Quinn