BETTY WHITE - RECIPROCATE

"When I pontificate, it sounds so, you know, oh well she's preaching. I'm not preaching, but I think maybe I learned it from my animal friends. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself. I think that keeps you feeling young. I really do.

A lot of people go, 'Well, I'll get a dog because I have a kid and a kid needs a dog.' And it doesn't work out for that dog and the dog is on the street. If everyone took personal responsibility for their animals, we wouldn't have a lot of the animal problems that we do. I'm a big spay-and-neuter supporter. Don't have babies if you're not going to take care of those babies. We don't need more. We just need to take care of the ones we have. Take responsibility and breathe kindness."

Betty White (1922 - )

Greatest Gift By Far

Greatest Gift

I look in their eyes

And delight to find

Only a love within

Even knowing no more

Of what’s in store

Than the moment they are in.

They host no prejudice

No grudge they hold

Their spirits untouched by pride

They are what they be

And all they know

Is that they, they love us so.

Whether rich or poor

They'd never care

As long as they with you are

See man's best friends

Will be true to the end

Creation’s best gift by far.

an original poem by Nancy Elizabeth Luz 

(c) 2011

This is Kayla 2008 

JUST FOR A LAUGH!

Today is my birthday, and so I am sending you a link to one of my favorite youtube videos. I've always considered dogs the Universe's greatest gift to mankind. Gotta love those crazy humans too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en&gl=US&client=mv-google&v=EVwlMVYqMu4&nomobile=1

Okay, so maybe it's birds and the wonderful people who bring them to us. Thank you gents! Check this out too!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/REP4S0uqEOc

So many wonders to make us laugh in so many ways. 

THE OTHER SIDE OF CHOICE

What is the other side of choice? 

It might be you. Much of the time, choice involves another person - a salesperson, a mortgage broker, your friends, family... could be anyone. And in many cases, you are that other person. 

We all know how we would like to be treated by those 'in the know' when we are faced with making a decision, but do we do the same for others when they have a need? 

When you offer advice to family or friends, provide a service, sell a product, or promote an idea, can you say in all honesty that you do so with honor? Would you be proud of the self that you portray if you were on the other side of the conversation? Or do you let a little bit of power, a chance to make more money, or an opportunity to inflate your ego guide you?  

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, 

but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." 

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

G E T T I N G - I T - R I G H T

"By and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth.

Don’t just teach your children to read. 

Teach them to question what they read.

Teach them to question everything.” 

George Carlin (1937-2008)

The Biological Human - Wellness tips for body, mind, & spirit

R E F L E C T I O N

"Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught."

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

C H O I C E

What is CHOICE?  According to one popular on-line source, choice is: 1. the power of choosing  2. the best part (of something) 3. the person or thing chosen  4. care in selecting 5. something preferred Sounds overall pretty positive, yes? What is choice really but a reflection of us, who we are and what we stand for! But do we use our ability to choose wisely, and select the best part of something or someone or do we follow others and do what they tell us is right.  We all make choices. Every day. However, taking responsibility for your choices is key to staying true to yourself. And that requires thinking. “To think is easy. To act is hard. But the hardest thing in the world is to act in accordance with your thinking." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) How many times have we allowed ourselves to be led by someone else because we thought him or her to be more educated, more experienced, or just more eloquent - parents, religious leaders, teachers, politicians, the boss at work, or any other variety of people. Look at today's headlines, television news, and internet buzz. War, guns, gay rights, health insurance - everyone has an opinion and wants you to join their side. But do you do the research? Do you spend the time to understand the issues? Or do you forward the next email or comment on a post, riled up perhaps by its inflationary content (that may or may not be accurate), without thinking! If the sender of a message has anything to gain by its content then we should all consider that message carefully, and with jaundiced eye. "There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) By following the crowd, by not taking a stand, or even worse, making a choice based on automatic pilot or rote response, you compromise who you are and what you stand for. One of the hardest things to learn to say is "No" to those we see as leaders in our lifetime and to stand up for ourselves and for others who may not be able to stand up for themselves. So say '"No" next time to that random inflationary email or reject biased news reports, and make a decision true to you - whether it be casting a vote or challenging a friend. "NO!" Learn to speak this little word In its proper place, Let no timid doubt be heard Clothed with skeptic grace. Let thy lips without disguise  Boldly pour it out Though a thousand dulcet lies Keep hovering about. For be sure our lives would lose Future years of woe If our courage could refuse The present hour with "No". Eliza Cook (1818-1889) The choice is yours. Make it your own.