The Right to Be Different

It's a topic that's been challenged for centuries. For the mere differences in beliefs, practice of faith, religion, sexual preference, and skin color that has been the motive for discrimination, abuse, wars and even murder. All of it based on the judgment of another's liberty to be dissimilar than another. I've never understood the logic behind condemning, especially when it’s scrutiny of diversity. I genuinely believe that it's a society's multiplicity of preferences are what universally moves our society to a more advanced, loving, kind and peaceful place. It's a fact that communities who are most accepting of a variety of choices, traditions, and religions maintain the most peace. After all, it's cruelty, viciousness and brutality that we need to be condemning, not the love and joy of another that is pursued in a different manner than our own.  

"We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams."  ~Jimmy Carter

Happy Happy Happy!

...and that's my only topic for the day. Happy Friday everyone!

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. ~Mohandas K. Gandhi

The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances. ~Martha Washington

If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things. ~Albert Einstein

It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about. ~Dale Carnegie

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go. ~Oscar Wilde

Some pursue happiness - others create it. ~unknown

Happy Earth Day!

A day designed to inspire appreciation and awareness for our Earth's environment. U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson founded this day as an environmental teach-in held on April 22, 1970.

In honor of Earth Day, I'm attaching this video again of this beautiful song written and performed by the talented little Anna Graceman, called Paradise. Enjoy!



Lyrics to Paradise
By Anna Graceman 2009 ©

Fields of green, and skies are blue
And the Salty seas, are sparkling too
Music is my laughter, the sun shines in the sky
Hope you'll hear my soul sing tonight

Paradise, paradise, it's a dream that I've dreamt before.
Paradise, paradise, it's a word that I've heard of, Paradise

Birds are flying high and dogs are running fast
I think this world is beautiful but dont know how long it will last

Paradise, paradise, it's a dream that I've dreamt before.
Paradise, paradise, it's a word that I've heard of, Paradise

Sweet sandy beaches and the wild forest reaches
Palm trees sway, hope they'll stay
Stars are in the sky and the black, black night
Dew drops on the flowers and the horses ride in flight

Paradise, paradise, it's a dream that I've dreamt before.
Paradise, paradise, it's a word that I've heard of, Paradise

We all know some day it won't be the same way
Were taking it for granted and I know that you'll regret it
I'm not going to say it twice
Cause we already live in paradise!

Paradise, paradise! It's a dream that I've dreamt before.
Paradise, paradise! It's a world that we live in, Paradise
This World that we live on is Paradise

Remember this?

Enjoy Your Weekend!

I just want to wish everyone a most wonderful weekend.  I saw this quote recently and just loved it!  So here's a Happy Friday to you along with a simple but very memorable Quote of the Day:

“The truth is the kindest thing we can give...”  ~Harriet Beecher Stowe

Half Potential

So I have this recurring dream, where I'm living in a house where I'm only occupying half of it, however I am not aware of this at all. Then, as I simply decide to walk further through the house, it's double the size than I thought it to be, with a full second kitchen overlooking a beautiful view of a lake. In walking around I further discover that there's a large beautiful deck that spans the perimeter of the house with stunning views of the lake. Whenever I have this dream, and only after realizing that I've been remiss to see the entirety of my beautiful home, a sense of joy and contentment overwhelms me. I'm not an expert on interpreting dreams, but I can easily understand the message that I'm so diligently repeating to tell myself; that I'm not living up to my full potential. I obviously know this down to my core, and I fully believe that I'll continue to have this dream until I know with every fiber of my being that I'm genuinely on the journey of reaching my fullest potential.  Hmm... sounds promising, very promising.

Validation

...The absence of which can be damaging, and even cruel. When someone reaches out to you with disturbed feelings and distress, do you validate or do you dismiss? Do you accept what they are saying or do you make up excuses so as not to validate the other person's experience? The absence of validation, and the ignorance of another’s experience can be damaging, it can prevent healing, trigger deep bouts of depression and even despair. Think back to the things that have created pain in your lifetime; was there someone there along the way to validate your situation and pain? If so, now imagine if you were deprived of that validation. Are you capable of going there, or do you practice more ignorance than understanding? I think there’s a very big difference between robust optimism and thinking like a Pollyanna. It's especially damaging for a child in the absense of validation, because they have no-where to go and no-one to tell. Their only option is too bury their pain without the opportunity to confront it, which can lead them into feeling dangerously powerless. Validation is like light and water for a blooming flower, its food for the soul, light for the spirit and healer of the emotions.

The definition from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

In psychology and human communication, validation is the reciprocated communication of respect which communicates that the other's opinions are acknowledged, respected, heard, and (regardless whether or not the listener actually agrees with the content), they are being treated with genuine respect as a legitimate expression of their feelings, rather than marginalized or dismissed. 

Audrey Hepburn Moments...

"There is more to sex appeal than just measurements. I don't need a bedroom to prove my womanliness. I can convey just as much sex appeal, picking apples off a tree or standing in the rain."  ~ Audrey Hepburn

 

Be Honest Always, as if There is No Other Option

If you assume that the truth will hurt, you're most likely underestimating the character and maturity of the person you are keeping from the truth. Always remember that dishonesty is the worse infraction, and it has more to say about one's own fears and emotional immaturity, than the one whom you think you're fooling - especially if they're already aware of your dishonesty.  You'll have no-one else to blame for the damage caused, but yourself.  If you want someone to fully trust you, you must first be fully trustworthy. So be brave with unfaltering honesty, it will free your heart and spirit in ways that you never could have otherwise imagined.

Those who think it is permissible to tell white lies soon grow color-blind. ~Austin O'Malley

A half truth is a whole lie. ~Yiddish Proverb

Who lies for you will lie against you. ~Bosnian Proverb

Truth fears no questions. ~Unknown

I am different from Washington; I have a higher, grander standard of principle. Washington could not lie. I can lie, but I won't. ~Mark Twain

A lie may take care of the present, but it has no future. ~Author Unknown

Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure there is one less rascal in the world. ~Thomas Carlyle

xo

I so appreciate my dear friends for their genuineness, emotional maturity and mutual appreciation. Knowing that there's no underestimating the depth and richness of each other's character. I find such comfort in that cyclical bond of trust and honesty.

Yay!

Thanks to everyone from SITS (the Secret is in the Sauce blog) and everyone else for stopping by yesterday and checking out Wooden Nickel!  So many wonderful comments from so many wonderful readers!  I knew it would be cool to be a featured blogger, but I had no idea it would be THAT cool!  Thanks again everyone and have a fantastic weekend. Peace out.

Oh Happy Day!

Elated: e.lat.ed

–adjective

Very happy or proud; jubilant; in high spirits...

So why am I elated? It’s a very special blogger day for me. The lovely ladies at SITS (The Secret is in The Sauce blog) featured Wooden Nickel today. I’m honored, excited, and ELATED!! What an honor and thank you SITS ladies!

On that note, a warm welcome to you if you’ve never been to Wooden Nickel before, and a warm welcome back if you have. Here’s a few of my most read posts, and I hope you enjoy your visit.

Play Every Day
Ode to my Spandex Running Pants
Good For You!

Thank you!