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Often today we here the expression, "ours is a world gone mad." Weather patterns are totally chaotic and unpredictable. Humans seem to be finding newer and more violent way to wreak havoc upon one another. The global economy is experiencing instability. In short, we can’t help but find ourselves questioning the outlook for the future. It seems there are more than the usual number of prognosticators heralding the approach of Armageddon and some insist, these are the end times.
The bottom line has not changed since the dawn of creation, however, because no one can say with absolute certainty what lies ahead. The confusion and concern can be inhibiting and stand in the way of our living in the moment. Much precious time can be wasted by taking the "chicken little" approach--the sky is falling, the sky is falling, she told everyone. Remember? A quote from Mary Jean Iron is worth holding onto, if only for a fleeting instant: "Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return." At least some of the chaos, which swirls around us, can be attributed to the rapid advances in technology. A great deal of the information revolution has benefited us, however, we find ourselves wondering, “What are we doing with all that time we’ve saved?” Filling our calendars with even more activities that accelerate our already frenetic lifestyles. We may have compressed the time frame while sacrificing the quality of our routine. On the other hand, if you’ve never made homemade ice cream the “old fashioned” way which required filling the receptacle with ice and cranking a handle, you may not realize the value of a time consuming chore such as that. Homemade ice cream machines are now electric-something got lost in the upgrade-time to sit and gab, even if it involved complaining about the slow process and who got burdened with the task. 
Then there’s always the threat of scary stuff from “outer space!” On June 24th in 1947, flying saucers were reported near Mount Rainier, Washington. On the same day, some 35 years later, in 1983, the space shuttle Challenger safely returned to earth with the first female astronaut who had gone into space. Quirky little coincidence. Truth be told, when we were children, the idea of actually traveling to the moon seemed just as far-fetched as aliens from another world coming to our planet. And, when the space program began, a female astronaut was not a strong likelihood. In just one century we progressed from being barely one notch above chattel to reaching previously unimagined heights on every human frontier. A baby girl, born today could easily become anything she sets her mind to.
Those of us who are now on the path of "overcoming middle-age" have very useful lessons we can impart to the women following us (chronologically) into this new millennium. Have you ever daydreamed about what it might have been like when you were, say 16 years old, to have the opportunity to sit down and chat with the 50 year old you? Many of us have reason to suspect we’d make all the same stupid mistakes and more than a few of us have identified with the Mickey Mantle expression, "If I’d known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself." But would we have done that? Noted illustrator, Mary Engelbreit, has published a little book of her special brand of whimsy and bright colors, titled, Don’t Look Back. It’s a lighthearted look at the road ahead and all of its possibilities. And, in 1981, author Hazel Henderson, wrote, "If we can recognize that change and uncertainty are basic principles, we can greet the future and the transformation we are undergoing with the understanding that we do not know enough to be pessimistic." Carpe diem! A site featuring the products of Mary Engelbreit: www.reneebarry.com 
Most of us have calmed down about the potential of being invaded by aliens, although there are still occasional outbursts of panic and chaos. If you are inclined to ponder that possibility with concern, lighten up and check out the hilarious online response to that issue! If you happen to be in the mood for an absolutely outrageous, hilarious, and frivolous bit of silliness, we found: http://www.ufo2001.com/ A site where you can purchase Alien Abduction Insurance…we are not making this up…we will not be held responsible if you log on an actually decided to spend money on something that promises:
"Beam Me Up...I'm Covered" “Despite Water On Mars: We will not raise our Rates! You Cannot Be Turned Down Regardless of Age or Frequent Flyer Status... Only if You Don't Have a Sense of Humor ! "Don't Leave Earth Without It" Since 1987 The UFO Abduction Insurance Company has boldly gone where no Insurance Company has gone before and offers the perfect policy for anyone who thinks they have everything covered. Now you can purchase this unique coverage for anyone and yes name yourself as the Beneficiary. Single Lifetime Premium of $19.95 + $3.00 Same Day Shipping Each Personalized Framed Gold Bordered Policy includes, a Frequent Flyer Endorsement and Claim Form - which requires the signature of an Authorized Onboard Alien. We Accept All Pre-Existing Conditions...Benefits are Always Paid In Equal Installments "Lucy, you got some explain'n to do..." 100% Satisfaction Money Back Guarantee!” Ask about our Group Rates? $10,000,000.00 UFO Abduction Insurance Now, it doesn’t get any goofier than that! We don’t need chaos in our lives, now or ever. Realistically, it’s probably inevitable at times. For those occasions we offer the following:
"Celebrate the temporary - Don't wait until tomorrow Live today. Celebrate the simple things - Enjoy the butterfly Embrace the snow Run with the ocean Delight in the trees Or a single lonely flower Go barefoot In the wet grass. Don't wait Until all the problems Are solved Or all the bills Are paid. You will wait forever Eternity will come and go And you Will still be waiting. Live in the now With all its problems And its agonies With its joy And its pain Celebrate your pain - Your despair Your anger It means you're alive Look closer Breathe deeper Stand taller Stop grieving the past. There is joy and beauty Today It is temporary Here now and gone So celebrate it While you can Celebrate the temporary." - Anonymous |
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