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a quote by horace mann

Last night I passed a church on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia displaying a quote in large black and white letters in a glass-encasement attached to the building. Every so often the quote changes. Light shining on the words make them easy to read at night. Once in a while a quote seems to demand special attention from a passer-by whose imagination it manages to capture. Tonight Horace Mann’s words: “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity” got me to stop, stare and reread those simple words strung together in a deeply moving way.

In recent years magazines and books tend to write about how caught up we are in surface things, and if we were to catorgize many of them we’d have to put them on our meaningless list. The writers of these magazines and books want us to consider a whole other way of living in the world. That sounds like a fair suggestion considering the way the world is at the present time. And so the quote by Horace Mann seems a good starting point to think about what exactly we could do for humanity before we die. There are many people already living this way. They don’t get write ups; they don’t want write ups.

The quote by Horace Mann gives those of us who have more on our meaningless list than our meaningful list a chance to consider how we’ll go about winning some victory for humanity before we die. Now’s as good a time as any because we’re in the midst of a season that tends to put joy in our hearts whether we strive for it or not.

And so, I say to myself that it’s time to shorten my meaningless list, and begin to figure out why that quote by Horace Mann grabbed my attention. Oh, Yes!

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asbury park, nj

I remember the fun so many of us had at Asbury Park, NJ when it was in its prime. On many weekends a lot of people would gather in cars, – in those days there were no seat belts, no real crowding on the roads, and no one to stop the driver of a car for having too many people in it. So, off we went from Manhattan, eager to taste the ocean air, dance, walk on the sand, enjoy the merriment of the environment, visit the fun house, and feast our eyes on the sturdy and well-designed whimsical buildings beckoning to us to enjoy what was inside. Once for $3 a woman read my palm, and years later when she suddenly came to mind, I had to salute her accuracy.

Then life got very busy, and for many years I temporarily forgot about Asbury Park, NJ. And so, one day on my way to somewhere else, I passed this once delightful place that had brought so much innocent entertainment and enjoyment to so many, and thought, “What happened to you dear friend? What a haggard look you’re wearing. Doesn’t anyone love you anymore? How undignified and unnecessary for you to be left this way.”

Now recently on a visit to somewhere else, I had a chance to glimpse an Asbury Park, NJ edging toward new life. And I whispered to it, “Hooray for you, Asbury Park!” And so, once again people care, and it shows. Its boardwalk is seeing a wonderful selection of speciality restaurants, a few stands that smack of organic and nutrition, a bakery that has its customers coming back again and again, and a small seafood place next door that does the same, there are hat shops, courses in pottery and glass making, galleries, entertainment, a most creative water playground for children, – yes, all that and more. There are condos being built and people moving in, and the town is in the process of becoming what the people moving in and those opening businesses want it to be. Lots of creativity happening.

Hooray for you, Asbury Park!

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regina brett’s 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on. . .

Regina Brett’s 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on
by Regina Brett
Sunday May 28, 2006, 10:13 AM
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here’s an update:

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

To reach this Plain Dealer columnist:

rbrett@plaind.com, 216-999-6328

www.reginabrett.com

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fanny

I watched the movie Fanny this past weekend. To my delight, it fell into my hands quite unexpectedly from my daughter, Sumi. There’s something extremely pleasant happening when seeing a movie of this calibre.

For one thing, it doesn’t start out with a bang, and it’s not about how many people can be killed, maimed, or attacked, or how fast can a city be destroyed from some unknown thing hovering about, and it’s not about a virus that can’t be contained running rampant throughout the world, or a story about someone in a rage whose only thought is how many people can be killed with a gun he’s been embracing for a few hours. No, Fanny has none of these things that we’ve come to expect from many movies. I’m happy enjoying this old movie and munching on lots of unsalted, raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds bought at Sahadi’s in Brooklyn. www.sahadis.com

Fanny very slowly takes us into a gentler world as we get acquainted with the characters and the story, soak up the marvelous views of beautiful Marseilles, and delight in viewing simple things thoroughly enjoyed. Step by step the story evolves – not with a bang – but, sort of with a kindness and respect for the way a good story develops. And when the story ends there’s a feeling of having spent an evening in good company. Oh, yes, good company indeed with Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Charles Boyer, Horst Buchholz, and other excellent actors.

It’s a DVD that one doesn’t return quickly because watching it again would be very nice. Are you reading this, Sumi? haha

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it’s a day for. . . .

In Philadelphia it’s a soft, completely cloudy, cool with a little rain, kind of day. It’s a great day for gathering energy by putting on Matthew Cohen’s Qi Gong DVD, and following his voice and movements; it’s a wonderful day to bring a book or a magazine, and a smile, to a favorite bistro, a tea salon, or a friendly neighborhood diner; it’s a walking meditation kind of day with no particular destination in mind; it’s a day to spend a few hours in a big, used bookshop to find that special book – all for the price of $2.95; it’s a perfect day to forget about the happenings on the outside, and placing attention on what’s happening on the inside – so that when it’s time to be part of the outside, a happy, loving, kind, peaceful person shows up; it’s a kind of day to get in touch with people who like to laugh; it’s a day to put 10 one dollar bills in a pocket, so as not to pass by a homeless person without offering a human connection; it’s a kind of day for watching Peter O’Toole in Lawrence of Arabia; and it’s an accepting kind of day with a silent thank you to go along with it.

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african bird cayenne and a coffee wand

I have been hearing that African Bird Cayenne is the best quality of any cayenne that can be bought. It is not easy to find. After calling around the Philadelphia area, I was told Penn Herb is the place to check. I did, and it is true. www.pennherb.com There is a lot on their website, and it looks all good. Over three generations have operated this worldwide company, and I bet the quality is excellent. Initially, I thought things had to be ordered online, however, the website lists two retail stores in Philadelphia.

When checking out the Penn Herb website (highly recommended), I found a link advertising a coffee wand which seemed like the perfect gift for a coffee lover. I was curious. Well, may I say that www.singleservecoffee.com is very special.

Perhaps you will think so too.

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living luminaries, the movie

If you want a change of pace from the nightly negative news; and from movies filled with violence and gore; and video games of the same ilk, then you just might enjoy the movie Living Luminaries. It suggests another way of living in the world, and explains simply how this can be achieved. The gist of the movie is that actor Sean Mulvihill, also one of the writers and producers, is seeking a way to happiness. He travels far and wide talking to those who have found their happiness, and are teaching others who want what they have. In the movie these well-known people talk openly about what they’ve found to be happiness, and how to attain it.

We need a balance for all of the negativity, and once we see the balance we can see more clearly where the negativity is going, and how it’s affecting us and the world. And once we see that we can ask ourselves why would we stand for it. Because there is a gentler, kinder, more loving, more open, beautiful, and peaceful way to live, if we want it. Imagine that!

Living Luminaries can be viewed online at www.video.google.com.

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The Master Cleanse Experience… aka Lemonade Diet

Well it has been sometime since I have blogged, before the birth of our second baby, Clover Alessandra. This topic, however, has to be blogged about. I started the Master Cleanse diet this past Monday, January 29th, 2008. It is a 10 day(min) fast where you only consume liquids consisting of a lemonade concoction and then do a herbal laxative tea in the morning and evening. I completed this fast once January 2007 with my mother-in-law, Fran. 

What drove me to even consider this craziness was that I was at my wits end with the lack of weightloss from having my first baby, Sebastian. I packed on a hefty 50 lbs with him and had 40 lbs to lose after the baby. I managed to wittle away at it but by the holidays (6months) later I was still 10 lbs heavier and at a plateau. I saw the footage on Oprah about Beyonce Knowles doing the fast to lose weight for her role in “DreamGirls” I thought to myself… I can do that! So when I saw the family at Christmas I mentioned it to Fran and low and behold, she had the actual orginal book The Master Cleanser by Stanley Burroughs.   I was shocked! Apparently she had the book and had always wanted to do the fast but never got around to it.  So it was ON! We decided to start and complete the fast together beginning the new year. 

It was a really tough first few days and I almost quit so many times. It was amazing the need to chew something was what I felt and I just felt like I had the flu. Apparently these are all detox symptoms. At the end of the fast I was a pleasant 12 lbs lighter and had so much energy and umpf that I was so happy I had completed the fast no matter how tough it had been.

This is why I am here again going through the same fast. This time I had more to lose since I started at a higher starting weight. I figure it will get me going down the right path and help me restart my system. Oddly though, this time the fast has not been as arduous. It has actually been quite easy.  I was prepared for the worst on day 2 and day 3 and that never came. I am currently on day 6 and toward the end of the day at that.  One side effect I am experiencing that I also had last time is the “coldies”. You just freaking feel cold all the time. I guess the lack of solid food and also it being winter time doesn’t help. Besides that everything else, including the cravings are manageable. Last time I was obsessed with watching the Food Network and looking at cookbook recipes. Weird even though I couldn’t eat anything just looking at it made me feel better and closer to food. I am planning to go to day 10, but have been contemplating continuing on for 4 more days to make it a full 2 weeks.

I have been looking at message boards www.therawfoodsite.com which are really helpful during this time. It is always nice to know there are others going through what you are going through. With that being said, it is definitely easier to do this with someone than alone. Also I had the benefit of having this week off of work. So I will only be at work for 3 days if I complete the 10 day fast instead of the 14 day one. The worst days are also in the beginning.

So right now my sense of smell is like superhero sense of smell. I guess since I am not eating it has instensified my other senses. It’s really odd to smell everything so intensely but at the same time really great. I am also just starting to get the energy high that comes with this fast toward the end. I have also managed to mantain working out. I have gone twice now and plan to go and do a weightlifting class tomorrow.

One thing I did differently this time was I drank a lot more water in between my lemonade drinks. I think that really helped me feel so much better and I am glad I figured that out. Also having two little ones keeps me really busy and my mind off of the whole food thing. It is truly amazing how much time you have when you don’t mess with food. You have a lot of free time to read and do things you usually don’t have time for. For me though with the kids I am just spending more time with them.

So another hard thing is watching your loved ones eat in front of you. Michael has been eating pizza, chinese food, pasta, etc.  It’s tough but I just tell myself that I can’t do it and I am too close now to the end to stop this. I know once I am done I will feel like a million bucks just like last time. Also hopefully a good 15 lbs lighter. Currently I have lost 8 1/2 lbs as of this morning weigh in. It is really motivating to see that scale go down everyday! My plan after the fast is really stay away from all the bad foods and eat a more clean diet and continue my vigorous exercising… I am addicted to the working out part!

So to anyone that wants to try this diet… DO IT! Just commit and do it and I promise you will be truly amazed at how you feel and how you look! 

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yellow mustard, vinegar and black pepper

Sometimes when you think you’ve found the right method for doing this or that, something comes along to knock it. For instance, Dr. Jonathan Wright (“Physicians honor Dr. Wright with medicine’s first LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD”) refers to yellow mustard as “THE MUSTARD MIRACLE” and he goes on, “So harmless you could (and probably should) take it every day just to be on the safe side!” Okay, why not? I think to myself, that’s easily accomplished. I mention this to a friend, who said, “No. No. I’ve read the opposite, vinegar, black pepper, mustard should be avoided. They irritate the stomach and are harmful.” I don’t want to know this; vinegar, black pepper, mustard are great with foods. “Tell me no more.” says I.

Well, I go through my books, they say good things about organic apple cider vinegar, and nothing about black pepper. To be honest though I’ve heard through the years that black pepper is a stomach irritant, but who wants to know that because what will replace the taste of black pepper steak, black pepper on fried eggs, etc.? I know the answer, it’s beneficial, wonderful cayenne, once you’ve gotten used to its bite. Cayenne to the rescue. Right?

Now about yellow mustard, I found a book hiding on my bookshelf, an old packed-with- information-and-wisdom classic titled The Original Back To Eden by Jethro Kloss – Healing Herbs Home Remedies Diet & Health. He healed countless numbers of people the natural way. He speaks highly of wonderful cayenne. And mustard? Well, Jethro Kloss wrote “. . . it is harmful to use mustard in food.”

So, my questions: why are two excellent sources writing contrary opinions about something that seems pretty straightforward? And does anyone out there have sound information about that delicious tasting seasoning called yellow mustard?

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laughter

Many years ago I read that our bodies can’t tell whether our laughter is real or not. In either case, laughter helps heal. And, if that’s the case, let’s do it – let’s laugh loudly now. Watching the videos on www.laughteryoga.org will, well, you’ll see. And then there are all those laughing yoga clubs. Maybe one of us will want to start one. You never know.

Enjoy the day!