Illinois ladies facing bc
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Whoa--turn my head and visit other threads for a few days and....52 unread posts? Wow!
We had summer on the N. lakefront yesterday, but it’s back to wind chills and showers (mixed with tree pollens and mold) again. Had a fantastic time in Europe (despite a hurricane in London, sticker-shock in Lausanne and a general strike in Paris) and then again (with husband this time) in and around San Antonio. Back to the routine here at home--gotta practice up for concerts I’m doing in May (Uptown Bill’s Coffeehouse in Iowa City May 14, various showcases at the SERFA concert at Montreat in Black Mt., NC the 18-21, and a benefit for Healing Touch--which provides free spa services to breast cancer patients--via the Vitality Spa of Hickory, NC at the American Honor Ale House May 22, combined with BCO get-together). For Mother’s Day, Bob & Gordy got us tickets to see “The King & I” at the Lyric Opera, with dinner at its bistro beforehand.
In case anyone wonders why I’d be going to NC after that odious HB 52 bill was passed, I thought long and hard about it. (After all, I booked the conference and benefit long before the bill was even introduced). Montreat is in the Asheville area, an oasis of blue in a sea of red. Both Montreat and Asheville are on record as opposing the bill and welcoming all, regardless of orientation or gender identity. For that reason, to support the progressivism of both Asheville and Montreat, SERFA decided not to cancel the conference, and Local 1000 of the AFM (which counts many LGBT members, including its Pres.) supports SERFA and will be maintaining a presence there. And as to the benefit in Hickory, it wouldn’t be right to penalize a wonderful charity and the patients it benefits. Hickory is part of the greater Charlotte area, which is staunchly pro-LGBT. Even the state capital, Raleigh (in which the bill was passed and signed) has condemned the bill. Now, had these been regular paying gigs, I’d have cancelled. But it’s important to recognize and support progressive facilities & municipalities, as well as breast cancer charities.
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Be grateful simply for being alive. When you are grateful for life, pure and simple, your life becomes one you can be grateful for. That may strike you as circular or even backward logic, but your attitude really does have an effect on how things work out. When you can't change your life any other way, you can still change your attitude. When you do, your life changes. You find more chances to love, and you will be surprised to see how much more love is returned to you. -Bernie Siegel
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I don't post here too often anymore save for the quotes everyday but did want Laura to know how glad I was that she posted. Sadly, and it hurts a bit to admit it, but with my memory as it is, out of sight/blog entry, can mean that I forget to hold concern for others. Not totally, because my prayers are 'nightly' for those who are struggling -- with anything. It does help me though to hear how people are doing. Now that I have been mentally refreshed I can put a bit deeper yet focus on those who have un-resolved difficulties.
I don't know whether it helps those I pray for as much as I hope, but I know it helps me to try and put more light and positive energy into the world --- and of course, I want that light and energy to spread to ALL who need some. It is my way to give back to those who have given me light, hope and positive healing energy. Don't mean this to sound like I'm such a loving, caring person --- I'm just like all of the ladies here. It is mainly because when you post you remind me that love helps and heals. No matter how long it takes.
Jackie
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Waving hi to Jackie.
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We must work on our souls, enlarging and expanding them.
We do so by experiencing all of life--the beauty
and the joy as well as the grief and pain. Soul work
requires paying attention to life, to the laughter and
the sorrow, the enlightening and the frightening,
the inspiring and the silly.
Matthew Fox0 -
((((((( Lago )))))))0 -
As you take a few minutes each day to quiet your mind, you will
discover a nice benefit: your everyday, "ordinary" life will begin to
seem far more extraordinary. Little things that previously went
unnoticed will begin to please you. You'll be more easily satisfied,
and happier all around. Rather than focusing on what's wrong with
your life, you'll find yourself thinking about and more fully enjoying
what's right with your life. The world won't change, but your
perception of it will. You'll start to notice the little acts of kindness
and caring from other people rather than the negativity and anger.
Jack Canfield0 -
Sometimes during the day, I consciously focus on some ordinary
object and allow myself a momentary "paying-attention." This
paying-attention gives meaning to my life. I don't know who
it was, but someone said that careful attention paid to anything
is a window into the universe. Pausing to think this way, even for
a brief moment, is very important. It gives quality to my day.
Robert Fulghum0 -
There are no guarantees.
From the viewpoint of fear, none are strong enough.
From the viewpoint of love, none are necessary.
- Emmanuel (Pat Rodegast)0 -
You are here to evolve and make your consciousness high
You are here to dance, sing and celebrate life.
You are here to help others to make their life happy.
We are here not to compete, but to learn, evolve and excel.
We are not here to make divisions in the name of prophets and religions.
We are here to encompass the world with love and light.
- Amit Ray0 -
When we pay attention to nature's music, we find that everything on the Earth contributes to its harmony.
Hazrat Inayat Khan
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The only way to live is to accept each minute
as an unrepeatable miracle, which is exactly
what it is: a miracle and unrepeatable.
Storm Jameson0 -
People who are "being" are fully present. They are totally engaged
in the moment. This engagement includes an easy appreciation
and sense of connection with whomever or whatever they are
relating to at the time. These people are aware of a job well
done or a difficulty surmounted and will respect and often
acknowledge the person who has accomplished it. "Being" is a
state of heart and mind that is receptive and able to listen carefully.
Sallirae Henderson0 -
The differences in human life depend, for the most part, not on what people do, but upon the meaning and purpose of their acts. All are born, all die, all lose their loved ones, nearly all marry and nearly all work, but the significance of these acts may vary enormously. The same physical act may be in one situation vulgar and in another holy. The same work may be elevating or degrading. The major question is not "What act do I perform?" but "In what frame do I put it?" Wisdom about life consists in taking the inevitable ventures which are the very stuff of common existence, and glorifying them.
Elton Trueblood0 -
A greater poverty than that caused by lack of money is the poverty of unawareness.Men and women go about the world unaware of the beauty, the goodness, and the glories in it.Their souls are poor.It is better to have a poor pocketbook than to suffer from a poor soul. - Jerry Fleishman
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All of nature offers lessons on living, free of charge. One morning I noticed a dead tree supporting many living things--fungus, vines, lichen--which taught me that even after death we can continue to support those who live on. Living trees on our property teach other lessons. One tree has grown around a barbed wire fence. Another has grown around a nail, and a third through a chain link fence. These trees teach me how to accept irritation, absorb the pain and grow around problems. Nature teaches me how to find my place, grow toward the sunlight and bypass obstacles. To survive, we must be able to change in response to whatever is required by the challenge of the moment. Our bodies know this, but our minds often rebel when change is necessary.
Bernie S. Siegel0 -
Gosh it's been awhile since I visited here. Once we got back from Florida I went on a cleaning frenzy and then have been fighting allergies. UGH! I love the spring flowers but they really do me in.
Redhead...so glad to see a post from you. Congrats on the 2 years! I am sorry to hear about your father's health issues. It is hard to see them go through things like this.
Laura, it was also good to hear from you. I will pass on your update to our friend. She is enjoying retirement but I think she still misses the gals at Medical Hills. So glad to hear that you are getting things together for yourself and dealing with your grief. Hugs to you! It takes time to sort everything out after we lose a loved one. I am so glad that you're getting good reports from our favorite oncologist. Please keep us updated.
To top everything off, I just got my questionnaire to fill out for jury duty. This means that I will probably be called to serve in the near future. I don't mind doing jury duty, which I have done several times in my life, but I'm to the point now where I don't feel comfortable making decisions that affect another person's life. I still have effects of "chemo brain." I don't multitask well and I don't remember things like I once did. I even jot down the characters when I read a book anymore. I can't help but think that there are many more people out there who are better candidates for this job. I guess my only consolation is that this will probably be my last call as I think you can be excused if you are 70 years old. I'm not quite there but I'm closing in on it.
Thanks as always for the quotes, Jackie, and for keeping this site going. I keep hoping that some of the newly diagnosed gals in Illinois will use it and find the companionship and help that we found.
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Rita, if you are called for a jury panel, be honest when at the start of voir dire the judge asks if anyone has any physical or medical problems that might affect their ability to listen to testimony and weigh evidence. Blindness isn’t a disqualifier, but deafness and cognitive difficulties can be. Chances are if the judge doesn’t excuse you for cause, one of the attorneys will exercise one of their “peremptory” (i.e., no reason need be given) challenges to keep you off the jury. Here in Cook County the rule is “one day/one trial:” you either serve for one trial, or if you aren’t empaneled by the end of day 1 you’re excused for at least another year. (Thanks for reminding me: I need to notify the Jury Coordinator that my medical exemption--having to take daily radiation--is no longer necessary).
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Rita, Redhead can probably give you some advice on jury duty! lol
Laura
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No one can get inner peace by pouncing on it, by vigorously
willing to have it. Peace is a margin of power around our
daily need. Peace is a consciousness of springs too deep
for earthly droughts to dry up. Peace is the gift not of
volitional struggle but of spiritual hospitality.
Harry Emerson Fosdick
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Remember, what you possess in the world will be found
at the day of your death to belong to someone else,
but what you are will be yours forever.
Henry van Dyke0 -
Laura, I took your advice and contacted redheaded......You are right! She helped me!
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I don't know too many others that would have the experience with it all! Right? Glad she could help!
Laura
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In the rush of daily living it's easy to forget all the remarkable people, real or fictional, who have been a part of your life. But if you just imagine they are near for a moment, you will realize that anyone who ever touched your heart is always with you, patiently waiting to emanate warmth and support whenever you remember to think of them. -Barbara Sher
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Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, and bless you before you depart.
Mary Jean Irion
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Yesterday was December. Today is July. Tomorrow, December again. Such is early May in Chicago. Going out for some fresh air while it’s still in the 70s out.
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The Tao Te Ching says, When I let go of what I am, I become what
I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need.
Have you ever struggled to find work or love, only to find them
after you have given up? This is the paradox of letting go.
Let go, in order to achieve. Letting go is God's law.Mary Manin Morrissey
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Love is the greatest force for good.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie0 -
Happy Mothers Day to the Moms out there.0
