Inspiring Others

The full measure of a man is
not to be found in the man himself,
but in the colors and textures that
come alive in others because of him.
- Albert Schweitzer

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.
- Chinese Proverb

A good example is the best sermon.
- Benjamin Franklin

Your example is far more influential and inspiring
than any words of instruction, or threats,
or even words of encouragement.
- jlh

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Further reading: Pay It Forward - as an Expression of Universal Gratitude

Plant Trees For Your Grandchildren

Affirmations of an Inspired Life - Young-Adult Version

Uplifting Quotes by Mary Anne Radmacher

Inspiring Quotes

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin - William Shakespeare

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.
- William Shakespeare

To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival.
- Wendell Berry

Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents,it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.
- Native American traditional

Responsibility to Future Generations

In Iroquois society, leaders are encouraged to remember seven generations in the past and consider seven generations in the future when making decisions that affect the people.
- Wilma Mankiller

That sense of sacredness, that thinking in generations, must begin with reverence for this earth.
- Paul Tsongas

If future generations are to remember us more with gratitude than sorrow, we must achieve more than just the miracles of technology. We must also leave them a glimpse of the world as it was created, not just as it looked when we got through with it.
- Lyndon B. Johnson

Future generations are not going to ask us what political party were you in. They are going to ask what did you do about it, when you knew the glaciers were melting.
- Martin Sheen

Let this be a time to honor all children and to put ourselves into service preserving a magnificent earthly home for future generations.

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Further reading: Dreams for an Inspired Future

We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.

Plant a tree for your grandchildren

The Next Generation

Inspirational Sayings about Life

Unlike grown-ups, children have little need to deceive themselves. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Unlike grown-ups, children have little need to deceive themselves.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: One is roots, the other is wings.
- Hodding Carter

Children are born innocent. Before they are domesticated they live in the moment, love without fear, and don't even think about the opinions of others.
- don Miguel Ruiz

If there is anything we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves.
- Carl Jung

Today, April 21, is Kindergarten Day, celebrated on the birthday of Friedrich Froebel, the creator of the first kindergarten.

Dreams are Whispers From the Soul with FREE DVD
Watch the movie Free before you buy.

Further reading: We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. - Native American traditional

Rabindranath Tagore: Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.

Choose to be as a young child - fully awake, eager for the next experience. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Inspirational Family Quotes: Sayings-Quotes about Loving Families

Inspirational Stories: Inspiring short story of gratitude and love

We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. - Native American traditional

Plant Trees For Your Grandchildren

Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents,it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. - Native American traditional

Everything you do, and everything you do not do, is your legacy to future generations.

Ecology is important. Thirty years ago, Tampa Bay was polluted and dying. Today, the fish are swarming. A small island near my home is roost for perhaps 2000 birds, including once-endangered pelicans and frigate birds. The eagle in today's picture visited my dock today. That eagles would return to this part of Florida was unimaginable. Few would have thought that Tampa Bay could have recovered, and that recovery has taken decades, but nature is amazingly resilient when we humans stop attacking her.

What you do for your biological descendants is important. The values that you teach your children through your example will be the values that they teach their children through their example.

Today's message is bigger than ecology and bigger than your blood line. EVERYTHING you do, and EVERYTHING you do not do, is your legacy to future generations.

Today's acorns grow into the oak trees of thirty years hence. But what acorns are we sowing today? Imagine what an acorn-sized bit of prejudice or hatred would grow into. Imagine what an acorn-sized bit of pollution can become.

Our legacy to future generations will grow from the acorns of our actions and inactions today in global affairs, energy, ecology, education, and wellness, as well as the personal values we demonstrate to those of this and future generations through our everyday behaviors and attitudes.

*** Book of the day: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed Jared Diamond's Collapse tells the history of societies that have not paid attention to their future. It is a sobering warning about how small acts of selfishness can cause a fatal collapse of entire civilizations. [I appreciate your accessing our affiliates through our links.]

Further reading: How do You View the World?

Eleanor Roosevelt quote: The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

The Paradox Of Living In The Moment - How To Be Happy Today And Prepare For Tomorrow

Alcoholism in a Relationship - When to Stay, When to Leave

Alcoholism in a Relationship - When to Stay, When to Leave

"Alcoholic" is one of those words that raises high emotions. We tend to think of an alcoholic as someone who is violent, dangerous, and self destructive. We may also visualize an alcoholic as being selfish and not caring about anyone but themself. Sometimes those stereotypes are appropriate, but often they aren't.

By definition, and alcoholic is someone addicted to consuming alcohol, but how they behave when intoxicated, and the extent of their addiction vary widely. In addition, the word alcoholic is often used as a condemnation of someone who drinks more than their spouse would prefer.

So when can a loving spouse reasonably remain with an alcoholic, and when is it time to leave?

With one huge difference, the criteria for deciding the future of your relationship are the same whether your spouse is alcoholic or not:

1. If your spouse is physically violent or threatens physical violence, you must leave now - today. This is true whether your partner is drinking or just angry. It doesn't matter if they promise they will never hurt you again. It doesn't even matter if they promise to get help for their addiction. Violence or threats are cause to leave right now and seek safety.

2. If you feel safe and you are happy in your relationship, you have no cause to leave. Even if your spouse drinks too much for their own good, and even if they are unwilling to address their addiction, accept them as they are, love them, and don't pester them with demands to change their behavior. Of course you stand ready to support a decision on their part to get help in defeating their addiction, but you can't live their life for them.

3. If you are seriously unhappy because of any aspect of your relationship, consider leaving your partner. Whether the cause of your suffering is your spouse's addiction, philandering, angry outbursts, demeaning attitude toward you, or any other cause, it is your responsibility to take care of yourself.

The one exception to the general rule of maximizing your own well-being occurs when your partner makes a voluntary commitment to treatment for addiction and continuously follows up on that commitment. As long as you feel safe and you continue to see commitment and improvement, hold on. If your partner's progress turns to frequent backsliding, end the battle and take care of yourself by getting out of the relationship if you are suffering.

If children are involved in your decision, understand that their best interest is not well served by living with an addictive or hostile parent. Read Don't Stay in a Broken Marriage For the Children

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Visit these recovery websites by my friends and associates.

• Change your thinking - untangle your life (www.untwist-your-thinking.com) - Information and help for all addictive behaviors - food, substances, gambling, codependency, shoplifting. Ask a question. Tell your story. Hypnosis MP3s.

Dont Stay in a Broken Marriage "For the Children"

If you are clear that you are miserable in your relationship, don't procrastinate on getting a divorce "for the sake of the children." While some experts would argue that having one parent move out of the home increases the stress on young children, consider the likelihood that the benefit of no longer seeing Mommy and Daddy fighting far outweighs any negative effects.

The premise for the remainder of this article is that you have already explored all avenues for rebuilding an empowering relationship with your spouse - you have talked, you have had counseling, you have contemplated your future.

Having determined that a happy relationship is no longer possible, you are considering remaining in your unhappy marriage "for the sake of the children." Don't do it. Here's why:

1. While growing up with two happy parents who love each other is probably the ideal nurturing environment for children, living with one happy parent is far better than living with two people who are unhappy and hate each other.

2. However noble your intentions, you are not going to be able to fake happiness for long. Your children will recognize your unhappiness almost at once, and that will cause them great suffering.

3. While you and your spouse may make an agreement never to argue or treat each other badly in front of the children, you will not be able to keep such an agreement. You will exchange icy stares, unkind words, and sarcasm - if not worse - in spite of your resolve and idealism.

4. Your own well-being does matter, don't discount the importance of your own happiness. Martyrdom is highly over-rated. There is no special place in heaven for those who suffer for no good reason. Don't let guilt - which is also highly over-rated - cause you to make a decision that will certainly cause misery for both yourself and your children.

5. It is your decision - and you are responsible only to yourself in making this decision. Don't be bullied by your partner, parents, relatives, friends, or church. They may have some so-called "moral" position, but the only important factors to consider in making this decision are your children's well-being and your own.

Mary Anne Radmacher: A HOLIDAY BLESSING FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY HOME

A HOLIDAY BLESSING FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY HOME

Within you
The skills to discover what you need to know;

Beneath you
Knowledge of land to root you and guide you;

Behind you
History that upholds your dreams

Before you
Hope that inspires your vision

Above you
Angels who know your name

Around you
Always
The love of your family.

- Mary Anne Radmacher

Rabindranath Tagore: Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.

Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.
- Rabindranath Tagore

In this month of celebrating the birth of Jesus and the rebirth of the Seasons, let us honor all children and put ourselves into service preparing a magnificent earthly home for future generations. - jlh

Perspectives on the Divine

The Divine is all in the perspective we take on it. - jlh Today is a day to look at our beliefs from different and broader perspectives. What are our values, and what is our viewpoint toward Spirit and toward Unity with All Creation? The child to the right is from Peru, the child below from Egypt.

a quote from LIVE BOLDLY I wrap the potential for bitterness, resentment, martyrdom in the blanket of forgiveness and just set it down. Then it just melts in the warmth. And goes away. - mary anne radmacher Is there really a difference? Celebration around the globe Humans have sensed the Divine from before history Who are any of us to question the sincere beliefs of others? Choose to Celebrate All of Life Choose to view the Divine and All of Life from the perspective of Celebration. Celebrate family, celebrate friends, celebrate love, celebrate different perspectives, celebrate all of life.