Simple Human Kindness

This is a story of simple human kindness during a time of uncertainty from the memories of a fifteen year old girl. Her life changed overnight. Although, time has passed, she never forgot how a chance meeting with a family would forever guide her outlook on people. It started in NYC where she was with her family, her step-father now deceased was getting care for cancer. One day she noticed her step-father standing in a room which overlooked the city and he was hanging a sheet of some sort. He was facing away from the view and she heard voices from the other side of the sheet.

She watched, curious and mostly in amazement that this very sick man was standing, holding anything and smiling. Then as quickly as the moment started it was done. When her step-father lowered the sheet a family was behind, men shaking his hands and saying something in a language she did not know. The family seemed very grateful, walked pass her and entered another room.

She asked what this was all about and was told..." This family is from an Arabic country and they wanted to pray for their family member." Later during her stay she found out they were Arabic and needed to find the direction for Mecca to pray. They were confused on direction in the glass room and her step-father, a native New Yorker, told them which way.

After a week or so the family approached her family and asked if it was ok to take her on a tour of NYC and lunch with their son. So she went and had an amazing time. The lunch was given at a penthouse with food enough for a king and more on the table. There were only really three people eating, but she remembers thinking how sweet and kind of them to go out of their way for her. Then there was the ice cream in a little NY place and the great conversation with the prince and his body guard.

It was a day to remember. The laughter, kindness, education and joy she felt was a ground stone for the rest of her life. The prince was not much older than she maybe 3-5 years. He had come from college to see his father in the hospital after an accident. He was funny, smart and kind. Looking back he may have felt that he was asked by his family to babysit, but he never let on.

The family with their kindness, in a time both families were having troubles never faltered in respect. When it was time for her to leave NY the family drove her and her mother to the airport. Although, they were met by a ticket taker who was a bigot...they held their own and saw her off.  She was going back alone to meet her grandparents while her mother stayed to take care of her step-father. This wonderful family brought them to the airport, dealt with the ignorance of other's and helped her mother while she cried.

Simple human kindness is something we should all experience. The family she met taught her about another culture and that we are all human. They taught her how to be open to other's, listen, not judge...how do I know? The fifteen year old girl was me. I will always have fond memories of a family who didn't ask for anything and taught a young girl so much. Please check out this link below. It is about the king I met... (the Prince I talk about in this story is the son of the now King) Please wish the king well in his recovery. Thank you for reading my story.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/22/morocco.saudi.king/index.html

Dreams Shot And Killed

There are times when you wonder what will become of your children or even your own life. Do we have meaning? What is out part in the universe? For six people in Arizona there are are no more questions. They are Dead!. When Jared Loughner allegedly shot and killed these six people their dreams ended.

But they are not the only ones affected by this horrific act of violence. The people who were left behind will never be the same. The friends and family members can never fill that void. Also the parents of the alleged shooter will never recover. As people assign blame please remember everyone involved in this account.

Was it the hate speak spewed at high octane levels part of the reason? In some way I say "Yes!".  Hate is hate and covering it in roses will make no difference. Some have said the alleged shooter is mentally unstable. If this is true, the sadness which I feel is compounded by the lack of responsibility taken by the the hate-sayers. Those with mental issues are far more likely to act out when hearing the hate speech.

STOP HATE SPEECH OF ANY KIND! GROW UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS! You know who you are. Stop passing the buck and playing this infantile blame game. Please keep the family's and friends of all who are part of this horrible shooting in your thoughts. Check yourself, do you say things which are hateful? Do you allow your children to hear these things or let them say it without correction? Let us all learn from this.

A push to keep healthcare!!!!! NO REPEAL!!!!!

Health care is important to every American. How can we say as "Americans"

we take care of our own, when we don't. For a very small percentage of people

in the United States, health care is not an issue. Great for them. For the rest of

the regular population it is a huge burden and struggle. Please take a stand

and tell Washington "We want to keep our health care reform."  Today they are

coming for our health care , tomorrow they will come for yours! Please e-

mail and or call your local and state representatives, NO REPEAL VOTE!!!

We only have one week to let them know, we are all human and deserve

the right to health care! Here are some links below to check out.

Thank you everyone!

http://dccc.org/blog/entry/video_chairman_israel_on_gop_health_care_hypocrisy/

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/joinofasotu?source=OM_LB_msn_ob2-search_ofa

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-lesley/10-reasons-why-repealing-_b_805323.html

In Loving Memory: Deborah I. Walker

 My aunt was an amazing person. She looked at life a bit askew and with wonderment. Through the looking glass which was her life, she never gave up hope for herself and other's. She has been gone now over a year and is missed by her family very much. Her spirit travels the universe visiting all the places she could not while earth bound. If you know someone who has touched your life please do wait until they are gone to express it. Life is way too short.

A quote from the Dalai Lama

I feel that the moment you adopt a sense of caring for others, it brings you

inner strength. Inner strength brings inner tranquility, greater self-confidence.

Because of such attitudes, even when things going on around you seem hostile

and negative, you can still sustain your peace of mind.

Dalai Lama 

Mental Borders

Why to we limit ourselves in life? I really don't know the answer so I am asking you my readers, to help me out. Any suggestions? There are basic reasons I guess. Family, DNA, social or economical status, friends...But I think it could be we are the ones who put the limitations in play.

I know some things are not controllable...but still I find myself trying to control them. Maybe this is the problem..LOL. I am a very positive person and with this I get up everyday and remind myself how good I have it. My mind closes the door on as much negative as I can...as least I try.

Love is always a funny topic. I have a saying.."Love in any form is a gift not an obligation". I truly believe this. There are all types of love available but it seems, people do not want a connection which lasts longer than "text"  LOL.

Don't get me wrong in today's world everything is on an "instant gratification express", I want to slow down a bit. We are not just our DNA we are much more. So with this I still have hope. Hope in the Human network which is our lives and for something other than...A fast track to feelings.

So what are your thoughts? Please share so we can all learn from one another.

How Do You Say Thank You From Around The World

Here are a few ways to say "Thank You" from around the world. The link at the bottom of the page has more than 400.

Afrikaans (Southern Africa) [very much]    Baie dankie

Ainu [Saru dialect] (Japan) [formal]       Iyayraykere

Akha (China, Southeast Asia)               Gui lah hui dui dui ma

Akha (Thailand)                            Ghu long khu me-ah

Altai (Russia)                             Bïyan bolzïn

Amharic (Ethiopia, Israel, Egypt)          Amesegënallô

Arabic (Middle East, North Africa)         Shukran

French (France, Belgium, Africa, Canada)   Merci

German (Switzerland) [in spoken language]  Dank schön

German (Zurich Switzerland) [very much]    Merci villmahl

Greek (Greece, Cyprus) [very much]         Efharisto poli

Punjabi (India)                            Dannaba

Russian (Russia)                           Spasibo

Serbian (Bosnia, Yugoslavia)               Hvala

Spanish (Spain, America) [very much]       Muchas gracias

Swedish (Sweden, Finland) [very much]      Tack så mycket

Zulu (South Africa, Lesotho) [very much]   Ngiyabonga ka khuluHebrew

(Israel) [very much]                Toda raba

Hindi (India, East Asia, Suriname)         Danyavad

Irish Gaelic (Ireland, Britain) [to one]   Go raibh maith agat

Italian (Central Europe, E Africa)         Grazie

http://users.elite.net/runner/jennifers/thankyou.htm

Brave New Year!!!

                                     Happy New Year everyone!

Today is the beginning of what we wish for our tomorrows. Letting go of your past and forgiving others while, whatching the promise of the horizon with a child's enthusiasm. Our loved ones are with us even, if only in spirit and  for a moment in time, we are at peace.

Today, take the path less traveled on your own road to happiness. Stand up and shout...I love you! I love me! Treat others as though you would like to be treated. Do not let others judge your worth because nine times out of ten, they will value it lower than you should. Laugh a lot! Cry a lot! Hold the hand of a stranger, remember you were once a child, say please and thank you, listen to people, and above all else..

Shout at the top of your lungs...I LOVE YOU! I LOVE ME! So today in this BRAVE NEW YEAR... look forward and not back, take time to say I am sorry, forgive without needing to get something in return...BE HUMAN!

Happy New Year Everyone! Peace!