The Readers Blog is a group blog, a collection of provocative, passionate people who represent a broad geographical, professional, personal and vocational range. New bloggers from other places and other points of view will join the conversation from time to time. Here, we invite them all to share their perspectives and opinions on the issues that matter to them most. And we invite you to respond. Let the dialogue begin!
Every choice for peace is really a vote for peace whether anyone is tallying the votes or not. I was so pleased to be able to cast my vote for peace where the results would be tallied. Change.org is the sponsor of this vote; its results allegedly go straight to President-Elect Obama.
The Campaign to establish a U. S. Department of Peace sent me this in an email: Read more...
“Life doesn’t give you the people you want; instead it gives you the ones you need: to teach you, to hurt you, to love you- to make you exactly the way you should be ”
When we find someone we feel we can connect to in some ways, we are filled with indefinable, rather vague expectations regarding that person. These expectations remain deep inside our sub consciousness, despite our apparent denial. Read more...
All throughout Japanese history, and up until recently, most people here lived in flimsy wooden houses that were packed closely together. Small fires were used for heating and cooking. Times have changed, of course, but even now most homes have kerosene heaters, which allow one room at a time to glow with precious warmth. The other rooms remain icy cold. In fact, in the region where I live most people sleep with no heat. In this day and age that is quite remarkable considering how cold Japan becomes in winter.
Since Japan is a country that trembles readily with frequent earthquakes, this heating arrangement of kerosene heaters is extremely dangerous. To keep vigilant watch, small fire trucks roam the streets on a regular basis, clanging their reassuring bell as they pass. Read more...
I have gathered all my peace posts from Ode’s Readers Blog, and put them in a small PDF book, Dr. Susan Corso’s Peace Posts from Ode Magazine’s Readers Blog downloadable for free from my website..
Below you will read a list of people and organizations who influenced my thoughts, words and deeds toward peace since I started writing for Ode a year and a half ago. First, I was shocked at how many. 444! Then I realized—of course! I can’t be the only one thinking this way. We’re all connected. Read more...
The New Year has arrived. It's time to snuggle and cuddle. To make new wishes; to renew, recharge, refresh and revise. It's that time of the year once again, when every one of us look forward to at least some changes in our lives. We make resolutions that we will lose weight, learn at least one new skill, worry less, exercise more, control our anger and kiss fewer frogs...
With the advent of a new year, new hopes are born, and we secretly wish that this year magic would happen; our life would improve, we will have more money, more success, better career, new house. Read more...
The artwork you see above is by Ruth Gendler. She is an artist, poet, author and teacher based in Berkeley, California. Because of a review I wrote of her book Notes on the Need for Beauty: An Intimate Look at Essential Quality
Oh…how painful it was to discover one day, that snowman melts in the sun. That bruised hearts do not heal as fast as skinned knees. That Sean Connery is unattainable. And, that there is no Santa Claus!
The disappointments were much more when I was growing up emotionally, like happiness is so fickle and pain is so inflexible. That sex is just a consolation for not having love. The recurring disappointments of ‘Ah…I thought he was “the one”. Read more...
The United States has a National Christmas Tree. Did you know that? I didn’t, and I probably would never have learned of except that in addition to the tree there are 56 smaller trees which make a Pathway of Peace.
The website says, “Since 1923, the United States has held a tradition of lighting a National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC. In 1978, a live 40-foot Colorado blue spruce was transplanted from York, Pennsylvania to its present site on the Ellipse, the grassy area south of the White House. In 1954, a "Pathway of Peace," 56 smaller, decorated trees representing all 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia were planted surrounding the National Christmas Tree. Each year sponsoring organizations from each state provide tree decorations that are encased in a protective plastic globe to shield it from the weather.” Read more...
Recently I went hiking with three other people. When we were at the summit, one of the men, whom I had just met that day, mentioned his grandson. This child was born very prematurely, weighing 690 grams at birth. He was in an incubator for months and even now, over a year later, he breathes with tubes up his nose because his lungs are too weak and underdeveloped to support him. Even though this youngster is not yet able to walk, he is growing, is alert, and seems quite bright.
“I’m waiting for the day when my grandson will be well enough and old enough to go hiking with me. I want to share with him the important things of life, the things I love.” Read more...
I have been a big fan of the work and person of Barbara Winter and her Winning Ways newsletter for many years. I even had the joy of dining with her on one of her many visits to New York City. Barbara is a leading expert on fulfilling work.
If you are an entrepreneur or a wannabe entrepreneur or a I-might-want-to-be-an-entrepreneur-when-I-grow-up, Barbara’s work is for you! Read more...
