THE EMPOWERED PARENTING eJOURNAL
<*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*>
Empowered Parenting eJournal
EmpoweredParent.com Journal
http://EmpoweredParent.comInformation
<*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*>
VOL.VI : Issue 5 October 17, 2004
Editor: Joan Bramsch
E-mail: hijoan@joanbramsch.com
ISSN: 1526-2154
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Common sense solutions for Today's Parenting Challenges! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Empowered Parents: Strong Families
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ENJOYING OUR SIXTH YEAR OF PUBLICATION!
KNOW THIS: We are all one people, Mother Earth is our one country, LOVE is stronger than fear, and peace and freedom are the birthrights of all humanity. Chief Seattle
==========
Legal Stuff:"The subscriber agrees, by accepting this email newsletter subscription, to indemnify the publisher against false accusations of spam to include, but not limited to, payment of all damages, loss of web hosting fees and services, all damages for loss of business and goodwill, and any and all fees or fines that may be imposed against the publisher by any federal, state, or local authority or civilian business entity as a result of the false spam accusation."
=========
"Sizzlers" to spark your Autumn Evenings! Give yourself a gift about love...Classic Contemporary Romance Novels By Joan Bramsch Http://www.joanbramsch.com/store/romancebooks.shtml
==========
INSIDE YOUR EP eJOURNAL
<*> Letter from Joan
<*> Halloween Fun
<*> Letter From a Daughter
<*> This and That
<*> Letter From a Father
<*> Subscribe/unsubscribe Information
==========
You do what you know how to do; and when you know better, you do better." - Maya Angelou
=========
Letter from Joan
WELCOME
This opt-in announcement is sent to our mailing list subscribers, clients, associates, training professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, teachers, researchers, and others interested in intuitive parenting and family vision. We never share our list with anyone. If you wish to be removed please send an email.
Hi dear Parent,
In recognition and celebration of Halloween... BOO! :)
In recognition and celebration of being an American... VOTE!
That’s all I wanted to say. Bye.
No, no, no, I’m kidding. Have you ever known me to be a woman of few words? I rest my case. :)
Before I begin, will you please share the address for this EP eJournal with your friends with families? It’s time to grow again, and I need your help... again. Thank you very much.
By this time in the school year, parents and children are again used to the shlepping back and forth to school, practice, games, and activities. Routines for homework, mealtime, bedtime are in place. But here’s the question: Have you found, carved, chopped out the most important time... Down Time, Family Time, Together Time?
You did so well during summer, taking time to play. Please, oh, please, no matter what, don’t forget how important these Fun Times are to your family.
No, of course I’m not scolding. You’re too old to scold, being a grown up person. I’m just encouraging... firmly. :) Yes, the mother in me lives!
I remember well, how challenging were all those routines. Five children in two or three schools, with two outside activities each, and don’t you know, having raised individuals, rather than cookie cutter kids, they all, for the most part, chose different activities. Ah, the bane of doing it right, eh? But, oh, dear parent, you’ll never regret the work, the joy, the pay off... well-rounded human persons! Even working fulltime, going to night school and being Little Mrs.Homemaker, I juggled all of it. I have confidence that you can do it, too.
And if you need to vent or have a confounding challenge, then you have me, right? Right! I’m always available for you, dear one. Always.
I’m still in Minnesota. I’ll be driving south on Tuesday so "travel" along with me so I’ll arrive safely, please. It’s in the 20s this morning. Oh, dear, I think I may have stayed too long at the fair. But I’m staying warm so no worries.
I’ve had a productive summer, in addition to boating and fishing. I completed three new books. Go have a look, please. All are romances. Here are the links to two of them. Number three will be published shortly. I love the covers! The stories will entertain you, too.
SOLAR SIZZLE and EBON’S MATE
http://joanbramsch.com/store/romancebooks.shtml
PELE’S FIRE is coming soon. This one is a single title, woman in jeopardy mystery in Hawaii, where else? Note: This Pele doesn’t kick a soccer ball, she lives in active volcanoes.
I’ve found some really helpful materials for this EP eJournal issue. And, of course, some fun.
So let’s get on with it. But, before we do, I want you to remember this:
I value you, right here, right now, in all you do for your family... and for yourself. Don’t forget you. You are as important as the other members of your family, you know? So this is your reminder. :)
Love, Joan
p.s. The basis for real fun is Trust.
> Trust that the other one won't laugh AT us, but with us.
> Trust that we can act the fool and they will love us for it.
> Trust that they will join in and act just as silly as us..or
> Trust that they are having the time of their lives because we are having fun.
Bill used to tell me he couldn't leave me because he had to see how this all turned out. He was willing to go along with me, to trust me, because he knew that I would never hurt him as he would never hurt me. There's got to be a few left like him, don't you think?
p.p.s. Have fun trick or treating!
============
OHHH NOOO!!
There are witches in my mailbox.
What am I to do?
I found them there this morning,
doing things they shouldn't do!!
How the witches got there,
I haven't got a clue.
But they won't be there much longer
because I'm sending them to
YOU!!!!!!
=============
This is a little story about Rose, my kind of person, a Perpetual Student.
Lovely Rose at 87
The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.
She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose.I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?"
I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze."Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.
She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids..."
"No seriously," I asked... I was curious what may have motivated her to betaking on this challenge at her age.
"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!"she told me.
After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.
We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.
Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.
At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet.I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.
Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know."
As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.
There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achievingsuccess. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!
There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.
If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't doone productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-sevenyears old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.
Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea isto grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather forthings we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."
She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose."She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.
At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.
Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all youcan possibly be.
These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.
REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL.
We make a Living by what we get, We make a Life by what we give.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
"Good friends are like stars.........You don't always see them, but you knowthey are always there."
JOAN’S NOTE: I hope that’s how you think of me, your perpetual friend. :)
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There’s a reason you don’t have pictures of your office at home. - Citibank Ad
=============
Here’s some FUN for you, Baby Boomer and beyond.
A Test for those Kids of the 50s & 60s (& even those who were born in the 40's plus those who were born in the 70's & 80's whose parents constantly talked about the "good old days")
The answers are below, but don't cheat.
01. After the Lone Ranger saved the day and rode off into the sunset, the grateful citizens would ask, "Who was that masked man?" Invariably, someone would answer, "I don't know, but he left this behind." "What did he leave behind?_______________________.
02. When the Beatles first came to the U.S. in early 1964, we all watched them on the, ______________________show.
03. Get your kicks, _______________.
04. The story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed _______________.
05. In the jungle, the mighty jungle,_________________________.
06. After the twist, the mashed potatoes, and the watusi, we "danced" under a stick that was lowered as low as we could go in a dance called the _________________________.
07. N_E_S_T_L_E_S, Nestlé's makes the very best, _______________.
08. Satchmo was America's "ambassador of goodwill." Our parents shared this great jazz trumpet player with us. His name was, ____________________.
09. What takes a licking and keeps on ticking?__________________.
10. Red Skelton's hobo character was ________________________, and he always ended his television show by saying, "Good night, and_____________________________."
11. Some Americans who protested the Vietnam war did so by burning their _____________.
12. The cute little car with the engine in the back and the trunk in the front, was called the VW. What other names did it go by? ____________________ & _______________________.
13. I n 1971, singer Don MacLean sang a song about, "the day the music died." This was a tribute to__________________________.
14. We can remember the first satellite placed into orbit. The Russians did it; it was called _____________________.
15. One of the big fads of the late 50's and 60's was a large plastic ring that we twirled around our waist; it was called the _____________________.
Answers:
01. The Lone Ranger left behind a silver bullet
02. The Ed Sullivan show
03. Route 66
04. to protect the innocent
05. The Lion sleeps tonight
06. The limbo
07. chocolate
08. Louis Armstrong
09. The Timex watch
10. Freddy the freeloader, and "Good night, and may God Bless"
11. draft cards (the bra was also burned)
12. Beetle or Bug
13. Buddy Holly
14. sputnik
15. hoola-hoop
=============
Now here’s a letter to give you pause...
A DAUGHTER'S LETTER
A mother enters her daughter's bedroom and sees a letter over the bed. With the worst premonition, she reads it with trembling hands:
Dear Mom,
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm telling you that I eloped with my new boyfriend. I found real passion and he is so nice, with all his piercing and tattoos and his big motorcycle.
But it's not only that mom, I'm pregnant and my boyfriend said that we will be very happy in his trailer in the woods. He wants to have many more children with me and that's one of my dreams.
I've learned that marijuana doesn't hurt anyone and we'll be growing it for us and his friends, who are providing us with all the cocaine and ecstasies we may want. In the meantime, we'll pray for science to find the AIDS cure, for him to get better, he deserves it.
Don't worry Mom, I'm 15 years old now and I know how to take care of myself. Some day I'll visit, for you to know your grandchildren.
Your daughter, Judith
PS: Mom, it's not true. I'm at the neighbor's house. I just wanted to show you that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my desk drawer...I love you!
Compliments of http://www.mountainwings.com
JOAN’S NOTE: Whew!
=============
Here’s some of my notes from a lecture I attended:
The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer, also Getting in the Gap (learn how to meditate)
> When you change the way you look at things, The things you look at change.
> 12,000 simulated murders observed on TV by children before the age of 14 years.
> How energy affects our strength. negative = low energy; positive = high energy.
> When you are inspired, you are in Spirit.
> Don’t die with your song still in you.
> YOU COME FROM NOWHERE; YOU’RE NOW HERE!
> Live on purpose, give your life away by serving.
> Remember... the sun is always shining above the clouds.
> Truth is beauty; Beauty, truth. That is all you know on this plane and all you need to know.
> Everybody is born a GENIUS; the process of living de-genius us. Buckminster Fuller
=============
HALLOWEEN CROONER!
http://www.flowgo.com/funpages/view.cfm/45
=============
I did something this summer that I never did in my life. I flew my Butterfly kite from my motor boat, out in the middle of the lake. It was a peak experience. Such fun! And no trees! :)
You will find truth more quickly through delight than gravity. Let out a little more string on your kite. - Alan Cohen
And that’s just what I did!
=============
Elder's Meditation of the Day - October 11
"Men and women have an equal responsibility to restore the strength of the family, which is the foundation of all cultures." --Haida Gwaii Traditional Circle of Elders
The family is the heartbeat of strength of the culture. The grandfathers and grandmothers taught their children; they in turn had children who taught their children. If the family isn't taught the culture, then the children become adults and the adults become the grandfathers and grandmothers and the result is the culture becomes lost. This is how language is lost; this is how dances are lost; this is how knowledge is lost. We need to listen to our Elders, today, before it's too late.
Great Spirit, teach me the culture so I can teach the children.
============
Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations. - George Bernard Shaw
============
I’M YOUR FATHER, NOT YOUR FRIEND
Dear son,
When I was a teenager I wished, just as you do now, that my dad could be my best friend. However, it wasn’t until my time to be a father came up, when I really understood why my wish would never come true. And it wasn’t that my dad didn’t want to be my best friend, except he understood that a real father could never be the best friend.
There are many reasons, but the most important one is the big difference between a friend’s role and father’s role. A friend is at the same level as yours since both of you share many things in common such as age, way of thinking, preferences, activities and pastimes.
A father’s role is a lot more difficult but particularly more important for you. A father must provide his son constant love, daily economic subsistence and appropriate education within his means. He must also protect him physically and emotionally, give him emotional support and encouragement, guide him and always set a good example for him. But more importantly, instill in him ethical and moral values so he may become a more responsible, self sufficient and compassionate human being.
A friend has a totally different influence than a father therefore; a father who tries to be the best friend can’t be a real father. You may have plenty of friends but only one father. To be a friend is voluntary, it’s an option. To be a father is a privilege but above all, it’s a moral obligation. The only similarities between a father and a real friend are things like sharing activities suitable for your age, offering emotional support, discouraging the weaknesses in your character and encouraging your self-improvement.
A friend does not have any authority rights over you however, as your father I do and it isn’t because it gives me great satisfaction to impose my authority, but because it’s my responsibility to discipline you. To set rules and make sure they are followed is a right that belongs to all parents and it’s earned when someone assumes total responsibility for a child. Authority and responsibility go together. You can’t demand freedom or authority without having responsibilities. As long as you live with your parents and depend on them for shelter, food, clothing, schooling, entertainment activities etc., you must obey the rules we have set. My obligation as a father is to give you what you need and not necessarily what you want. Eventually you’ll become a self-sufficient adult and along with your wife you will also determine your own rules whenever you undertake the difficult task of forming your home.
When you were born, God gave me a blessing that has given me great happiness but at the same time, he gave me a mission that nobody else can perform and it is the most difficult and toughest a human being can receive. This mission is to be God’s instrument to show you the right path to follow. Some day, God will make me accountable for the fulfillment of this great and yet so noble and satisfying a commitment.
As a father, my main purpose is not to gain popularity votes but to be a responsible father and strive, above all, for your moral development and well being. If I do a good job performing my duty, in time you’ll realize that these principles I’m trying to instill in you will be the best thing I can offer you as a father. Don’t ever forget that no matter what happens, I will always love you and I’ll be there for you to share your achievements and willing to help you overcome your failures. No matter how difficult it may be for you, always strive to be a better son, a better brother, a better husband and especially a better human being before God. Some day you’ll understand completely the great importance and deep meaning of this letter. On that day, you and I will start to develop a unique and profound bonding. When that day comes, you’ll never forget it for it will be one of the happiest days of your life. On that day so special, you’ll also receive a beautiful blessing and an extraordinary responsibility. It will be the day when you hold in your arms your first child. From that moment on you’ll also understand that more important than being your son’s friend, it is to be a real father.
® Sergio FerreiraSergio Ferreira runs a Spanish Translations website where he offers quality translations at affordable prices. His site can be found at http://www.spanishexperts.net
==============
War cannot be humanized, it can only be abolished. -- Albert Einstein
The ultimate oxymoron: "Holy War"
===============================
FEED THE HUNGRY: http://www.thehungersite.comhttp://www.heifer.org/
FOR PEACE ON OUR PLANET: We are not going to be able to operate our Spaceship Earth successfully nor for much longer unless we see it as a whole spaceship and our fate as common. It has to be everybody or nobody. -Buckminster Fuller
NEXT ISSUE: More encouragement from EP Parents' Cheerleader!
* (\ *** /) . *
* ( \ (_) / ) * Guardian Angel.
(_ / \ _) .
.. /____\ * . . *In the meantime, here is an angel sent to watch over you for me.
===================================
FROM BILL: We are Angels born with but one wing, In order to fly we must embrace one another.
===================================
Till next time, don't forget -- Parenthood is Wonder-filled!
Fondly, Joan
===================================
Thank You For Reading! Have a Terrific Week!
Empowered Parenting Ezine is published solely by Joan Bramsch, founder and Director of http://www.EmpoweredParent.com and may not reflect the opinion of all Empowered Parent members.Copyright © 2004, all rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the express written consent of the publisher or contributors. We accept no responsibility for your use of any contributed information contained herein. All of the information presented in the Empowered Parenting Ezine is published in good faith. Any comments stated in this publication are strictly the opinion of the writer or publisher. We publish all advertising in good faith but offer no guarantees. Please do your own due diligence in ANY transaction. We reserve the right to edit and make suitable for publication, if necessary, any articles published in this newsletter. We reserve the right to publish all reader comments, including the name of the writer. Reported survey results will NOT use the names of the contributors. Joan Bramsch, owner, EmpoweredParent.com
===================================
To SUBSCRIBE: EmpoweredParenting-subscribe@egroups.com
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© 1999-2004 Joan Bramsch/JB INFORMATION STATION. All rights reserved worldwide. ISSN: 1526-2154 - Library Of Congress, Washington DC, USA Permission to download text is for personal use only. It is illegal to reproduce or transmit in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, any part of this copyrighted text without permission in writing from the publisher. ===================================
http://www.EmpoweredParent.com
All material copyright © Joan Bramsch 1999--2004 (unless otherwise noted)
CONTACT: JB Information Station, Box 515165, St. Louis MO 63151 - 314 638 3404
=================================== ===================================
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Empowered Parenting eJournal
EmpoweredParent.com Journal
http://EmpoweredParent.comInformation
<*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*>
VOL.VI : Issue 5 October 17, 2004
Editor: Joan Bramsch
E-mail: hijoan@joanbramsch.com
ISSN: 1526-2154
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Common sense solutions for Today's Parenting Challenges! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Empowered Parents: Strong Families
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ENJOYING OUR SIXTH YEAR OF PUBLICATION!
KNOW THIS: We are all one people, Mother Earth is our one country, LOVE is stronger than fear, and peace and freedom are the birthrights of all humanity. Chief Seattle
==========
Legal Stuff:"The subscriber agrees, by accepting this email newsletter subscription, to indemnify the publisher against false accusations of spam to include, but not limited to, payment of all damages, loss of web hosting fees and services, all damages for loss of business and goodwill, and any and all fees or fines that may be imposed against the publisher by any federal, state, or local authority or civilian business entity as a result of the false spam accusation."
=========
"Sizzlers" to spark your Autumn Evenings! Give yourself a gift about love...Classic Contemporary Romance Novels By Joan Bramsch Http://www.joanbramsch.com/store/romancebooks.shtml
==========
INSIDE YOUR EP eJOURNAL
<*> Letter from Joan
<*> Halloween Fun
<*> Letter From a Daughter
<*> This and That
<*> Letter From a Father
<*> Subscribe/unsubscribe Information
==========
You do what you know how to do; and when you know better, you do better." - Maya Angelou
=========
Letter from Joan
WELCOME
This opt-in announcement is sent to our mailing list subscribers, clients, associates, training professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, teachers, researchers, and others interested in intuitive parenting and family vision. We never share our list with anyone. If you wish to be removed please send an email.
Hi dear Parent,
In recognition and celebration of Halloween... BOO! :)
In recognition and celebration of being an American... VOTE!
That’s all I wanted to say. Bye.
No, no, no, I’m kidding. Have you ever known me to be a woman of few words? I rest my case. :)
Before I begin, will you please share the address for this EP eJournal with your friends with families? It’s time to grow again, and I need your help... again. Thank you very much.
By this time in the school year, parents and children are again used to the shlepping back and forth to school, practice, games, and activities. Routines for homework, mealtime, bedtime are in place. But here’s the question: Have you found, carved, chopped out the most important time... Down Time, Family Time, Together Time?
You did so well during summer, taking time to play. Please, oh, please, no matter what, don’t forget how important these Fun Times are to your family.
No, of course I’m not scolding. You’re too old to scold, being a grown up person. I’m just encouraging... firmly. :) Yes, the mother in me lives!
I remember well, how challenging were all those routines. Five children in two or three schools, with two outside activities each, and don’t you know, having raised individuals, rather than cookie cutter kids, they all, for the most part, chose different activities. Ah, the bane of doing it right, eh? But, oh, dear parent, you’ll never regret the work, the joy, the pay off... well-rounded human persons! Even working fulltime, going to night school and being Little Mrs.Homemaker, I juggled all of it. I have confidence that you can do it, too.
And if you need to vent or have a confounding challenge, then you have me, right? Right! I’m always available for you, dear one. Always.
I’m still in Minnesota. I’ll be driving south on Tuesday so "travel" along with me so I’ll arrive safely, please. It’s in the 20s this morning. Oh, dear, I think I may have stayed too long at the fair. But I’m staying warm so no worries.
I’ve had a productive summer, in addition to boating and fishing. I completed three new books. Go have a look, please. All are romances. Here are the links to two of them. Number three will be published shortly. I love the covers! The stories will entertain you, too.
SOLAR SIZZLE and EBON’S MATE
http://joanbramsch.com/store/romancebooks.shtml
PELE’S FIRE is coming soon. This one is a single title, woman in jeopardy mystery in Hawaii, where else? Note: This Pele doesn’t kick a soccer ball, she lives in active volcanoes.
I’ve found some really helpful materials for this EP eJournal issue. And, of course, some fun.
So let’s get on with it. But, before we do, I want you to remember this:
I value you, right here, right now, in all you do for your family... and for yourself. Don’t forget you. You are as important as the other members of your family, you know? So this is your reminder. :)
Love, Joan
p.s. The basis for real fun is Trust.
> Trust that the other one won't laugh AT us, but with us.
> Trust that we can act the fool and they will love us for it.
> Trust that they will join in and act just as silly as us..or
> Trust that they are having the time of their lives because we are having fun.
Bill used to tell me he couldn't leave me because he had to see how this all turned out. He was willing to go along with me, to trust me, because he knew that I would never hurt him as he would never hurt me. There's got to be a few left like him, don't you think?
p.p.s. Have fun trick or treating!
============
OHHH NOOO!!
There are witches in my mailbox.
What am I to do?
I found them there this morning,
doing things they shouldn't do!!
How the witches got there,
I haven't got a clue.
But they won't be there much longer
because I'm sending them to
YOU!!!!!!
=============
This is a little story about Rose, my kind of person, a Perpetual Student.
Lovely Rose at 87
The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.
She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose.I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?"
I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze."Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.
She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids..."
"No seriously," I asked... I was curious what may have motivated her to betaking on this challenge at her age.
"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!"she told me.
After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.
We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.
Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.
At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet.I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.
Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know."
As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.
There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achievingsuccess. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!
There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.
If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't doone productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-sevenyears old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.
Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea isto grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather forthings we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."
She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose."She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.
At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.
Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all youcan possibly be.
These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.
REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL.
We make a Living by what we get, We make a Life by what we give.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
"Good friends are like stars.........You don't always see them, but you knowthey are always there."
JOAN’S NOTE: I hope that’s how you think of me, your perpetual friend. :)
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There’s a reason you don’t have pictures of your office at home. - Citibank Ad
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Here’s some FUN for you, Baby Boomer and beyond.
A Test for those Kids of the 50s & 60s (& even those who were born in the 40's plus those who were born in the 70's & 80's whose parents constantly talked about the "good old days")
The answers are below, but don't cheat.
01. After the Lone Ranger saved the day and rode off into the sunset, the grateful citizens would ask, "Who was that masked man?" Invariably, someone would answer, "I don't know, but he left this behind." "What did he leave behind?_______________________.
02. When the Beatles first came to the U.S. in early 1964, we all watched them on the, ______________________show.
03. Get your kicks, _______________.
04. The story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed _______________.
05. In the jungle, the mighty jungle,_________________________.
06. After the twist, the mashed potatoes, and the watusi, we "danced" under a stick that was lowered as low as we could go in a dance called the _________________________.
07. N_E_S_T_L_E_S, Nestlé's makes the very best, _______________.
08. Satchmo was America's "ambassador of goodwill." Our parents shared this great jazz trumpet player with us. His name was, ____________________.
09. What takes a licking and keeps on ticking?__________________.
10. Red Skelton's hobo character was ________________________, and he always ended his television show by saying, "Good night, and_____________________________."
11. Some Americans who protested the Vietnam war did so by burning their _____________.
12. The cute little car with the engine in the back and the trunk in the front, was called the VW. What other names did it go by? ____________________ & _______________________.
13. I n 1971, singer Don MacLean sang a song about, "the day the music died." This was a tribute to__________________________.
14. We can remember the first satellite placed into orbit. The Russians did it; it was called _____________________.
15. One of the big fads of the late 50's and 60's was a large plastic ring that we twirled around our waist; it was called the _____________________.
Answers:
01. The Lone Ranger left behind a silver bullet
02. The Ed Sullivan show
03. Route 66
04. to protect the innocent
05. The Lion sleeps tonight
06. The limbo
07. chocolate
08. Louis Armstrong
09. The Timex watch
10. Freddy the freeloader, and "Good night, and may God Bless"
11. draft cards (the bra was also burned)
12. Beetle or Bug
13. Buddy Holly
14. sputnik
15. hoola-hoop
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Now here’s a letter to give you pause...
A DAUGHTER'S LETTER
A mother enters her daughter's bedroom and sees a letter over the bed. With the worst premonition, she reads it with trembling hands:
Dear Mom,
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm telling you that I eloped with my new boyfriend. I found real passion and he is so nice, with all his piercing and tattoos and his big motorcycle.
But it's not only that mom, I'm pregnant and my boyfriend said that we will be very happy in his trailer in the woods. He wants to have many more children with me and that's one of my dreams.
I've learned that marijuana doesn't hurt anyone and we'll be growing it for us and his friends, who are providing us with all the cocaine and ecstasies we may want. In the meantime, we'll pray for science to find the AIDS cure, for him to get better, he deserves it.
Don't worry Mom, I'm 15 years old now and I know how to take care of myself. Some day I'll visit, for you to know your grandchildren.
Your daughter, Judith
PS: Mom, it's not true. I'm at the neighbor's house. I just wanted to show you that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my desk drawer...I love you!
Compliments of http://www.mountainwings.com
JOAN’S NOTE: Whew!
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Here’s some of my notes from a lecture I attended:
The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer, also Getting in the Gap (learn how to meditate)
> When you change the way you look at things, The things you look at change.
> 12,000 simulated murders observed on TV by children before the age of 14 years.
> How energy affects our strength. negative = low energy; positive = high energy.
> When you are inspired, you are in Spirit.
> Don’t die with your song still in you.
> YOU COME FROM NOWHERE; YOU’RE NOW HERE!
> Live on purpose, give your life away by serving.
> Remember... the sun is always shining above the clouds.
> Truth is beauty; Beauty, truth. That is all you know on this plane and all you need to know.
> Everybody is born a GENIUS; the process of living de-genius us. Buckminster Fuller
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HALLOWEEN CROONER!
http://www.flowgo.com/funpages/view.cfm/45
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I did something this summer that I never did in my life. I flew my Butterfly kite from my motor boat, out in the middle of the lake. It was a peak experience. Such fun! And no trees! :)
You will find truth more quickly through delight than gravity. Let out a little more string on your kite. - Alan Cohen
And that’s just what I did!
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - October 11
"Men and women have an equal responsibility to restore the strength of the family, which is the foundation of all cultures." --Haida Gwaii Traditional Circle of Elders
The family is the heartbeat of strength of the culture. The grandfathers and grandmothers taught their children; they in turn had children who taught their children. If the family isn't taught the culture, then the children become adults and the adults become the grandfathers and grandmothers and the result is the culture becomes lost. This is how language is lost; this is how dances are lost; this is how knowledge is lost. We need to listen to our Elders, today, before it's too late.
Great Spirit, teach me the culture so I can teach the children.
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Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations. - George Bernard Shaw
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I’M YOUR FATHER, NOT YOUR FRIEND
Dear son,
When I was a teenager I wished, just as you do now, that my dad could be my best friend. However, it wasn’t until my time to be a father came up, when I really understood why my wish would never come true. And it wasn’t that my dad didn’t want to be my best friend, except he understood that a real father could never be the best friend.
There are many reasons, but the most important one is the big difference between a friend’s role and father’s role. A friend is at the same level as yours since both of you share many things in common such as age, way of thinking, preferences, activities and pastimes.
A father’s role is a lot more difficult but particularly more important for you. A father must provide his son constant love, daily economic subsistence and appropriate education within his means. He must also protect him physically and emotionally, give him emotional support and encouragement, guide him and always set a good example for him. But more importantly, instill in him ethical and moral values so he may become a more responsible, self sufficient and compassionate human being.
A friend has a totally different influence than a father therefore; a father who tries to be the best friend can’t be a real father. You may have plenty of friends but only one father. To be a friend is voluntary, it’s an option. To be a father is a privilege but above all, it’s a moral obligation. The only similarities between a father and a real friend are things like sharing activities suitable for your age, offering emotional support, discouraging the weaknesses in your character and encouraging your self-improvement.
A friend does not have any authority rights over you however, as your father I do and it isn’t because it gives me great satisfaction to impose my authority, but because it’s my responsibility to discipline you. To set rules and make sure they are followed is a right that belongs to all parents and it’s earned when someone assumes total responsibility for a child. Authority and responsibility go together. You can’t demand freedom or authority without having responsibilities. As long as you live with your parents and depend on them for shelter, food, clothing, schooling, entertainment activities etc., you must obey the rules we have set. My obligation as a father is to give you what you need and not necessarily what you want. Eventually you’ll become a self-sufficient adult and along with your wife you will also determine your own rules whenever you undertake the difficult task of forming your home.
When you were born, God gave me a blessing that has given me great happiness but at the same time, he gave me a mission that nobody else can perform and it is the most difficult and toughest a human being can receive. This mission is to be God’s instrument to show you the right path to follow. Some day, God will make me accountable for the fulfillment of this great and yet so noble and satisfying a commitment.
As a father, my main purpose is not to gain popularity votes but to be a responsible father and strive, above all, for your moral development and well being. If I do a good job performing my duty, in time you’ll realize that these principles I’m trying to instill in you will be the best thing I can offer you as a father. Don’t ever forget that no matter what happens, I will always love you and I’ll be there for you to share your achievements and willing to help you overcome your failures. No matter how difficult it may be for you, always strive to be a better son, a better brother, a better husband and especially a better human being before God. Some day you’ll understand completely the great importance and deep meaning of this letter. On that day, you and I will start to develop a unique and profound bonding. When that day comes, you’ll never forget it for it will be one of the happiest days of your life. On that day so special, you’ll also receive a beautiful blessing and an extraordinary responsibility. It will be the day when you hold in your arms your first child. From that moment on you’ll also understand that more important than being your son’s friend, it is to be a real father.
® Sergio FerreiraSergio Ferreira runs a Spanish Translations website where he offers quality translations at affordable prices. His site can be found at http://www.spanishexperts.net
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War cannot be humanized, it can only be abolished. -- Albert Einstein
The ultimate oxymoron: "Holy War"
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FEED THE HUNGRY: http://www.thehungersite.comhttp://www.heifer.org/
FOR PEACE ON OUR PLANET: We are not going to be able to operate our Spaceship Earth successfully nor for much longer unless we see it as a whole spaceship and our fate as common. It has to be everybody or nobody. -Buckminster Fuller
NEXT ISSUE: More encouragement from EP Parents' Cheerleader!
* (\ *** /) . *
* ( \ (_) / ) * Guardian Angel.
(_ / \ _) .
.. /____\ * . . *In the meantime, here is an angel sent to watch over you for me.
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FROM BILL: We are Angels born with but one wing, In order to fly we must embrace one another.
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Till next time, don't forget -- Parenthood is Wonder-filled!
Fondly, Joan
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Thank You For Reading! Have a Terrific Week!
Empowered Parenting Ezine is published solely by Joan Bramsch, founder and Director of http://www.EmpoweredParent.com and may not reflect the opinion of all Empowered Parent members.Copyright © 2004, all rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the express written consent of the publisher or contributors. We accept no responsibility for your use of any contributed information contained herein. All of the information presented in the Empowered Parenting Ezine is published in good faith. Any comments stated in this publication are strictly the opinion of the writer or publisher. We publish all advertising in good faith but offer no guarantees. Please do your own due diligence in ANY transaction. We reserve the right to edit and make suitable for publication, if necessary, any articles published in this newsletter. We reserve the right to publish all reader comments, including the name of the writer. Reported survey results will NOT use the names of the contributors. Joan Bramsch, owner, EmpoweredParent.com
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posted by Joan Bramsch @ 6:21 AM
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