“The reason why the world lacks unity, and lies broken and in heaps, is, because man is disunited with himself.”~ Ralph Waldo Emerson. There are many beautiful places in Jamaica. The name itself is descriptive: Land of wood and water (Xaymaca was the Arawak name for the island). It is said that when Christopher Columbus […]
“Everything is funny, as long as it’s happening to somebody else.”~ Will Rogers. My father had a strange sense of humor. His jokes would often be met with a split second of silence, before the audience, whether in church, the classroom, or the huge assembly hall where as chaplain he would lead morning devotions each […]
“Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger the wind the stronger the trees.” ~ Thomas S. Monson. I traveled to Jamaica with my family in 1963, sailing on the SS Ascania. Our journey was extended by several days, as we had to observe protocol, and allow a killer to exit the Caribbean before […]
“We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.”~ Carl Jung. To those of us who grew up trying to please others, the opinion of others matters far too much. Children whose parents have a particular standing in the community (here I am thinking of parsons and teachers) grow up […]
“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”~ e. e. cummings. Do you remember the first time you had to question a long-held belief? When I was young, I was totally flummoxed when my brother tried to tell me that Sunday was the […]
“The person who is brutally honest enjoys the brutality quite as much as the honesty. Possibly more.” ~ Richard J. Needham. Before we moved to Jamaica, we were advised of a few requirements. Ladies should wear hats and gloves to church (this was in 1963). Parsons should wear a dog collar and robe (in the […]
“All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.”~Helen Keller. I grew up in a tradition of caring for others. But more than that, we were taught to respect our common humanity, and recognize that all human beings deserve respect. My parents were practicing Christians, and they lived their beliefs. At one […]
“Everyone needs reminders that the fact of their being on this earth is important and that each life changes everything.”~ Marge Kennedy. A song has been playing in my mind this week, ever since I helped my grandson with his homework. Did you know that in Finland (so I’ve been told), children have shorter school […]
“Faith minus vulnerability and mystery equals extremism. If you’ve got all the answers, then don’t call what you do ‘faith.’”~ Brene Brown. I could never handle being teased as a child. Maybe it was because I was the youngest, first of five, then later of six. And of course, those who love to tease do […]
“When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It is to enjoy each step along the way.” Wayne Dyer. One activity sure to generate creative ideas is to change your routine. Travel, for the writer, fills the mind with an abundance of images that provide fodder for […]
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