Our power to Endure thhrough great difficulties

Sorry to hear that your mother dies this year. Hope you can enjoy some part of the holidays though they may have mixed feelings for you. All we can do sometimes is keep on going. Easier said than done. We can not, when something like a close death happens in our family, get caught up in Extreme sadness. easier said than done. We can only take it a day at a time.

 This is what I wrote to a  classmate of mine. We have not seen each other in over 20 years but will probably meet again soon. We started talking again thanks to Facebook, one of a few good ways to become reacquainted with people from the past, thanks to modern technology.  

Even now though, we can not stay in contact with everyone we knew from back when. I don't even know my sister's FB page to talk to here more often. Thanks to e-mail and now the social media sites, it is easier...blah, blah, blah, you get the idea. You also get that this was not possible 20 years ago. And, this is remarkable to me.

So, more pep rally talk, which is necessary sometimes and well intended.   


The holidays are difficult and can be wonderful. We all deal with death and loss differently.  No matter what the source; what happens in our Life that can be difficult for us to handle at times, we have to keep moving; physically and mentally.  Our beliefs can sustain us; pray if you like, and remember, but we have to move about.  Walk, work, interact, take care if yourself and the others in your life that  may rely on you. We have to keep on keeping on.  Just think of the alternative. There is a wide spectrum, from a brief cry now and then to suicide. The latter is not the solution to any problems we may have. But, I am not living with your pain. You are not living with my pain either; no matter if it is stale, dull, 20 years old , or happened yesterday and is sharp and getting sharper; suffocating me almost.  Notice I used the word ALMOST.


Events like a death, financial distress, job loss, retirement, ETC...these are going to happen. May we not receive too much of this crap at once in our lives. But, we must, can and have to endure. To Live on this Earth, we have no other choice.   There are short term and long term supports; groups. therapists, medications, a drink or 9 now and then.  We have to maybe even destroy our  Life, with out dying, in order to get through the loss we have endured. But any self abuse involving excessive amounts of drugs, gambling and/ or alcohol can be costly in a few ways.  Moderation. I am not your parent. But , don't destroy your brain cells with illegal drugs.


More pep rally stuff.  See, I believe that we can endure a lot. We make choices, we falter, stay in bed for a long time, eat too much, or not at all...but we get through our obstacles.  Here is a big problem solver   TIME. Not the magazine either.   Time will keep on passing or ticking by.  Time dulls the sharpness of our memories.  Time decreases the intensity of feelings and allows us to feel and remember and have a semblance of a life, then a regular life. 


We have to try and believe. Go to church or pray at home if this is your thing. What can it hurt to try?  Let music help and let others around you help also. Maybe read a book; with stories long or short.  See a play, go have a great meal or a sloppy hamburger.  Do what you need to and, LIVE!  


Be well. I want to wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a great Kwanzaa, and a health and happy 2012.  Let's see if we get to see a 2-0-1-3.  Probably.  ; )  www.thelionshares.com

Be real, not Naive, but be optimistic and nice too

Clarification is a good skill to have when explaining an opinion or telling a story or when answering questions; ETC...Regarding my view of modernizing Christmas/Holiday songs, there are so many to mention that I do not care to be that specific. I would not vary the religious based songs, as they are powerful. There are songs like "White Christmas", "Feliz Navidad", and "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas". These songs again, wish the best and are timeless. "Happy Christmas (War is Over)", though about 35 years old, is a a somewhat modern song with a powerful message that will be poignant this year and for years to come. We could have more heart-touching songs filled with truth and sentiment and retire some about Frosty and Rudolph. We need inspiration, not fantasy. Leave fantasy to the children.

       By the way, I am looking forward to the holiday season, Christmas, and like this preparation time. It is so nice to see the houses and towns that have decorated. Holidays do change somewhat when older family members, friends and neighbors die. We grow up and go through varied experiences in Life and are no longer children. But, it is important to retain tradition and optimism and happiness, just to not be as naive as when we were younger. Reality talking. Enjoy this time of the year, decorate, be nicer throughout the year, and try not to over eat; think smaller portions. That way, you can have it all ;) www.thelionshares.com

Modern Christmas Songs

Christmas songs of today must reflect today. I like many older traditions, But, listen to what we are singing or hearing on the radio..."days/tales of yore...chestnuts on an open fire. sleigh rides, even Frosty and Santa...too much fake already...listen to a song Alan Jackson recorded sometime ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sseRlBDDVaU

go there and listen to that. Simply, we need more songs like that.  

There must be more modern Christmas/Holiday songs out there. If not, artists should write them!! Why can't a song like Alan Jackson's Let It Be Christmas Everywhere become a traditional song children sing in school?
I will address the pros and cons of fantasy thinking about Santa ...another time...
Seriously though, listen to the lyrics of songs we have been singing for more than 70 years...more than 100 years maybe? "Blue Christmas" is truthful, sad but real. I'll Be Home for Christmas" has good sentiment, as many times in our lives we may not be home for the holidays, this is also applied to other family members...

Modernizing Christmas songs."Deck the Halls" "Dashing through the snow on a one horse open sleigh", maybe on skis or a sled/ snowboard...
Unfortunately, Life for Adults is more like "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer", Well, maybe not. but definitely, "The 12 Pains of Christmas" I could not find the original version in the YouTube universe, here is a version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB08UdIpHR8&feature=related

There is room for touching modern songs to  be written by Artists of today. The older songs have a nice sentiment but describe a world of yesteryear that no long exists: "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."Sleigh rides. These are Victorian Era concepts are out of place in the Technological 21st Century.
Cynical, yes, I am a bit, but, I am a realist. I also believe in the True Spirit of Christmas and the Holiday season (I am Catholic write your own blog if ya celebrate Kwanzaa or if you are Jewish.). Giving and being nice. We commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Hopefully your beliefs are not lost when exchanging presents, at parties or feeling bad that you did not get what you wanted for Christmas. We are human after all and are able to change. Just be nice through out the year and think of others when you are able. Enjoy this time of preparation for The Holidays. What do you think of what you just read? let me know...tell others. www. the lionshares.com

Let Your Heart, Mind, and Soul Sing; tap our feet.

Just a few words about Music and enjoying those sounds.

     It should not matter what the source of the music you enjoy is.  Why should it matter?  If you like songs from Broadway shows, that is okay. If you like ethnic music or songs from the 60's, if you are only now a teen ager, that's okay.  Many of the songs, pieces of music we like have a similar story anyway; not the content, but really, what they are or genre...take a look at this... Keep an open mind.





       Take a song about love.  Lyrics/words are written. Music is penned. A singer/band  is found to record it.  It can take on different flavors: country, Broadway, a rock ballad.  Fill in  the Title...


                              Maria, Two out of Three Ain't Bad, Unchained Melody...the music and the words create something memorable, hummable, a thing of beauty that may haunt your mind for the rest of your life. 


So, grow up, never taunt others for the interests they have and, never be afraid to be yourself. Thanks


www.thelionshares.com    maybe, your  little conscience or online guardian angel...

Supercommittee fails!!! The Cohesion of America

SURPRISE.!. The Partisan Supercommittee failed, and they admitted that they were unable to reach an agreement as to how to make cuts in the budget that they could all decide on. How much money did this 4 month venture waste? Did some people actually think they would be able to work together?

This is the problem. Our elected representatives are too vain and closed minded-. Maybe, they are doing their jobs, representing their constituents and it is a repelling of philosophies that impeded they from being successful. But, if the common goals are the same, to save money, create jobs, and strengthen the economy, you would think they would have found some common ground,and made concessions...Alas, they failed. Not a surprise to me. Can't politicians just see what has to be done , think up ways to do it, and get the job done? To hell with tradition and the bureaucracy of the Congress. The elected officials are letting down those they represent, that is the simple truth. Why do things have to be some difficult. Discuss, act, accomplish, succeed.....Do we have to be so striated, so apart? Be creative, elected persons...remember who put you there...jumpstart this economy, Damn, cut us some stimulus checks.....

 The job of the Supercommittee was to sit down, look at the budget and decide where to make cuts, to save average tax payers money...So, try again.  Maybe the members of this committee should be chosen randomly, with no biases...It is as if or maybe this is what happened, the members of the failed super committee were hand picked.  There was controversy over the choices. I remember a reporter/analyst talking about it on CNN.  SO, choose randomly.  But, Obama looks like the bad guy and prearranged limits will go into action.  Maybe this is what we need? Not like I know what these limits are going to be\.  But, I am for a randomly chosen committee to sit down. It should not waste that much more money to try it again.  What do you think?

Highlander movies

Gregory Widen is the author of a story that the movie and the series is based on.  The story may be called The Highlander; maybe it is a screenplay?  Nonetheless.  If you know how I can contact Mr. Widen, let me know, please.  Would love to e-mail him.  thanks

Music, Animals, word, ideas, movies, Nature...

These can all inspire and be amazing. They also may need to be protected, at times.

I have been inspired by movies, words and music, for years; the letter for three and a half decades, starting with AM radio.

Yesterday, or many yesterdays ago, if you are just reading this, I saw a program called Tiger Man of Africa. about a man named John, I think, who "was put on this earth to help Tigers", words from his very mind and lips. He helps Tigers at a preserve in South Africa.  John Varty, Tiger Canyons...thanks Internet and Google.  take a look for yourself    www.jvbigcats.co.za/         I watched three hours of a show about this man and how he has been working with tigers for forty years.  He raised one from a baby and the  tiger is now about 11 yrs old.  He can pet it and lay on the female tiger's  hind legs, and watch her hunt; Julie, if she is still alive.  He and his staff/family are also caring for three other tigers; now about 1.5 yrs old; Julie's cubs.
  This tiger had five other cubs; one named Runty.   Two are white tigers.  The show was interesting, especially just to learn about the work this man is doing; has done.  Runty died and the Mr. Varty filmed how Julie "grieved" as she licked the body of her dead cub for several days after.  I was touched by seeing her try to survive , die, and what care the Tigress took.  Animals are more complex than most of us think and are able to understand. 


Pets can also inspire.  I hope that soon, I can have another, having lost two in my lifetime, so far.


Be inspired by whatever: art, music (jazz, Classical, a song on the radio, a soundtrack)  Nature , a person, a pet.  May you grow as a person from the inspiration, be a better person, and inspire others.  Be well and may you be inspired...  www.thelionshares.com

Being yourself is okay.

I want to stress this point and be as brief as possible.  It is though, an important point.

BE YOURSELF and DO NOT BE AFRAID TO BE YOURSELF!

This is advice for young and old. This is not easy and may not always be possible to the extent that we want.  Even when we must conform, we must retain our identities; maybe though we have to tone it down some.

Bullies are wrong.  Children are not to blame for the decisions adults make.  These are two different thoughts but both are important to know.

I also can not imagine what it would be to struggle with your sexual identity while a teenager.  Gay, Goth, Punk,  being a teen is stressful enough. But, be yourself, even if still trying to figure out who that is.  We all do not know who we are when we turn 18, 25, 50...ETC...

Find someone that you trust, who cares, to talk to.  Believe in yourself.  Talk to someone when you feel very, very horrible. 

Try your best to be yourself. And be not afraid.  Take care and be well......www.thelionshares.com

The Betterness of ourselves.

The question at this time is, "where to begin? "  We must begin with our views of Life.  Though there are many, many layers to life.  I will make this simple...If we believe there is more than this life, we have to behave here, in a way, to insure we get to that next place.  SO, be nice. Help other people, when you are able; help yourself.  Be decent and not always out for yourself.  Be not corrupt.  Share, give and help.  Why not?

It does matter how we act here.  Why not give and share if you can afford; especially if you have lots of money and can afford this.  To quote a famous line, from Shakespeare perhaps,  'You can not take it with you.' 

Where can we start?  First, help yourself.  Believe in yourself.  Hopefully, you want to help others as well. You have to start with you though.  Whether you believe it or not, you are worthy.Maybe you can not help others at this time financially.  Help your friends and family.  TO be nicer, by not being so mean, by listening and asking; we all have the ability to change.  Focus on them and yourself.  The Work and other distractions  of life will be there. But do not let them deter you from the more valuable and meaningful aspects of life...those who matter to you...friend, family, yourself, your beliefs, and your dreams.

Help and, DO NO HARM!  This too is very important.    If you have issues, use restrain or seek help.  If you do  not, don't worry.  But, we have to DO NO HARM.  Politicians, lawyers, doctors, nurses and others that went into the helping fields; this they/we must we remember.    Believe in more, have an open mind and believe in yourself.  Be well.....www.thelionshares.com