(Featured quote is often credited to Kingman Brewster also.)
Copyright 2000-2012 by Kimberlie Dykeman.
Well, Earth Day and Earth Week have come and gone… and now what? Do you go back to your old habits of driving to the corner store instead of walking; tossing everything in the garbage because your apartment complex or office still doesn’t have a recycling program; running the water while you brush your teeth?! Folks, celebrating Earth Day isn’t supposed to be a party that you go all out for and then toss it’s memory into your rusty pile of annual “do-good” days. You should be celebrating what EARTH PROVIDES FOR US and, in turn, making lifelong changes to ensure that this planet CAN keep taking care of us. I hope that sometime very soon, all of us, as a connected human race, will have the ultimate paradigm shift and SEE with truly open eyes what evil we are doing to our planet and what good is IN US to change our mentality to one of appreciation, concern, and action…. every day! ~ KD
Here is a SOAPBOX® mini-motivation from 2008 that still echoes truth today:
“To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival.” ~ Wendell Berry, philosopher, novelist and social activist
It’s about time we stopped snickering at Al Gore, the forewarning NPR folks and tree-hugging, hybrid hippies…because they might be onto something! It’s about time we stopped being so selfish and purposefully merged as Humankind for the simple Darwinian hopes of perpetuating our existence by strengthening our collective homebase – we call Earth! For, not seeing is believing. When a species of animal disappears, we must rescue braver. When a strain of plant disappears, we must think greener. When snowcaps are melting, swallowing up islands and life, we must conserve stricter. Amidst the chatter of economics, religion and war, don’t miss the underconversation of environment, culture and interdependent community. My fellow EARTH-lings, we must research cleaner, protect fiercer, commit firmer, explore broader, spend wiser, educate brighter. May we all look back after long, fulfilling lives to proclaim that we are survivors and all did our part. It’s our time to think globally…and act globally.
Copyright 2008, 2012 by Kimberlie Dykeman.
“You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.” ~Douglas MacArthur, US General
Funny how birthdays devilishly sneak up on us. For some they are embraced with delightful dreams of frosted sweets, gifts galore and parties, parties, parties. For others (and I am in that boat for sure), the adding of another digit towards another decade doesn’t make for a happy camper. This last year seemed to not only careen past me but brought shackles of doubt, fear and despair… like I wanted to negotiate for a lower bid, after all, I’ve still got so much left to do!!! Alas, ’tis but a number, our age, right? So, those of us trying to swap our deli tickets for hope of turning back the clock… stop the madness! Embrace the potential in each day you’re given. Work on your faith, your self-confidence, your hope and understanding and the result might be longer days, longer years, and a longer life. ~KD
Copyright 2012 by Kimberlie Dykeman.
“The most interesting thing in the world is another human being- who wonders, suffers and raises the questions that have bothered him to the last day of his life, knowing he will never get the answers.” ~ Will Durant, writer, historian and philosopher
Enough with the cars, computers, collectibles… and crap, folks. You can’t take any of it with you when you go. And when you’re grey and gabbing about unforgettable memories… I’ll bet the farm and Buffet’s bank account that the human beings you knew will bring the most awe-inspiring images to your stories, not the stuff.
Get to know a few more human beings… really know them. Talk like there’s no such things as things more worthy than another breath. ~KD
Copyright 2012 by Kimberlie Dykeman.
“What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight –it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower, politician and former US President
And the political fight keeps going… round after round as the forwearning buzz of the ending bell draws louder, we begin to ask what it really does take to stay in the ring. Is it still really just unabashed guts… laced with rebel-without-a cause fire? Is it ground-to-the-bone perseverance… confettiied with blood, sweat and tears? Or, dare I say, is it just who has the biggest wallet (manpurse, pocketbook, or whatever is comprehensively acceptable!) Do we even remember the names of the already fallen? Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Jon Huntsman, Thad McCotter, Tim Pawlenty, and Rick Perry… who presumably spoke for all individually by confidently proclaiming “I full well believe I’m going to win”.
Mind you, folks, I understand the rest of us are not currently in training to hold the revered yet risky title of US President, but perhaps something just as important in our own daily lives and devoted visions is driving us without rest. And we often find ourselves wondering and weighing if we have what it takes… yup, I know the feeling. I, too, have to remind myself that what’s burning and brewing nonstop in my heart and head is what will keep me landing punches…not force, fury or finagling. Just a “fight” for what life can truly be. ~ KD
Copyright 2012 by Kimberlie Dykeman.
“Each day it seems we have a gloriously befuddling choice: battle the wind with our oars, or let it guide us with grace and fill our sails.”
~ Kimberlie Dykeman, human being
Indeed to have the breeze at our backs we must first understand the quandary. Then, of course, we must be willing to surrender…
Copyright 2012 by Kimberlie Dykeman.