New outlook on life

I've been reading some very good books lately on outlook [no, not the email service :>)], and while I know I knew this already, it has confirmed for me that I need to be more conscious of my thoughts and my outlook on life.
Feel positive and you see positive. Feel negative and that's what you'll find. In fact, that's what you'll attract.
I have been trying to meditate in the mornings to start my day on the right track. Haven't always been successful at it - I find it hard to settle my mind but I'm getting better. Practice makes perfect. A little every day.
And I am accepting that it's a journey that I will probably never be perfect and that's all right. The fact that I am trying is all that's necessary.
The joy is in the effort.

Rest in peace, Mary Travers

Monday morning blahs

It's so hard to be optimistic sometimes and today is one of those times.
News is awful, as usual.
Lawmakers are bickering, as usual.
Celebrities are making idiots of themselves, as usual.
I no longer feel that I am capable of caring, let alone making a difference. Maybe the trick is not to take it to heart so much. People are going to do what they are going to do. All I can worry about is my own little sphere of influence.
So, for today, I am going to smile, pet the cats, pat the dogs, love my hubby, do a good job, write some pages, and let everything else handle itself.
World, you're on your own.

The President's Speech to Schoolchildren

Can someone explain to me what all the fuss is about?

I didn't vote for Bush and I basically considered him a person I was not proud of but I still thought he deserved respect because of the office he held. He was the PRESIDENT of our country regardless. I certainly wouldn't have objected to him speaking to my child in school.

I am really worried about the fringe element in this country that is no longer a "fringe".

I also hate to say this but I think there is an element of race. I really think there are some people who just can't stomach the fact that a black man is POTUS. I don't think I have ever seen this level of hatred and disrespect for our leader before. Frankly, it concerns me.

I also don't understand why it is allowed to go on without being called for what it is, why some of these guys are allowed to spew this hate [Beck, Limbuagh] unchecked. We have one pastor of a church here in AZ who says from the pulpit that he wants to see Pres Obama dead. And there are people parading in front of this idiot's church with signs supporting him. That's hate speech.They should be ashamed.

Health Care Reform

Why do I feel like reform and "change" that we voted for is being hijacked? I hope the President puts Congress in its place next week when he addresses them. They are acting like a bunch of unruly children. It's time for the gloves to come off. Bipartisan is a nice idea but I don't see it working.
Now is the time to give directives. We sent a message on Election Day. It's time the message was heard.
We need a public option. Without it we are at the mercy of the health insurance companies and it sends them a message that they can lobby and buy their way into the government. Enough of that! We've had it and it doesn't work.
Our congressman have no incentive to vote for change because change in health care won't affect them. They already have excellent health care. The only way to get their attention is to threaten them with the loss of their jobs. If they don't vote for health care reform with a public option, we won't vote for them come election day.