Earth’s Best Hope 3: Heaven
As a man thinks, so he is. — Proverbs 23:7 An easy way to defeat others is to get them fighting among themselves. In this way, an enemy never risks casualties or expense. All that’s required to destroy a group, a community, a country, even a family, is bickering that alienates. Some form of fear is often the fuel [False Evidence Appearing Real]. The Second Amendment says well-regulated militias could arm themselves to preserve freedom. That language has been re-interpreted so that Americans can easily buy military-style weapons and kill other Americans. Did you know that there were fourteen mass shootings during the Fourth of July weekend? Thirteen weren’t widely reported because the national news couldn’t cover them all. Washington Post [Seems no outsiders need to attack US anymore.] Shouldn’t child bearing be a topic that brings US together? As stated in Succeed and Soar’s “Seek Quality Life” Post, wouldn’t We the people be better off focusing on birthing babies who are well cared for, educated and can flourish? Shouldn’t We The People require that leaders unite US in making this country [with its extraordinary diversity] what Abraham Lincoln called, “the last best hope of earth?” How can the epidemic outbreaks of hate-speech, fear-mongering, stingy, intolerant, boorish behavior be cured so that We the people realize Lincoln’s vision of US as a second Eden? Individually, in your own life, create a little heaven on Earth. Perform a heroic deed daily [a random act of kindness] Be generous and encouraging Create beauty Seek uplifting people and experiences Cultivate wholesome, healthy environments Continue learning Pause, allow several days of self nurturing and refreshment each month Be honest and fair Insist that those who govern US lead by these examples Remember, What you believe and focus on becomes your reality. – Michael McMillan Our focus is our future, and what we focus on will multiply. — David DeNotaris Succeed and Soar! Succeed and Soar Galleries The inspiring and beautiful work in these Fine Art America collections is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks for your support! NOTE: size and placement of the art and words]can be changed as well as background colors.
Earth’s Best Hope 2: US
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. – Marcus Aurelius Because Aurelius is right, wouldn’t you agree, we now need leaders who can unite the United States? “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” was part of Abraham Lincoln’s address to the 1868 Illinois Republican State Convention. Those words are in the Bible dozens of times, in the books of Mark, Matthew, Luke, even Psalm 133:1 which says, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” Consider: This country’s founders wanted a Republic with strong Democratic values to avoid factions, special interests, oligarchs, despots, monarchy, weak central government, and mob rule, which happens when a “pure” Democracy devolves into anarchy. Read more. Here’s the difference between a republic and a democracy, which decides how people can and cannot live, as when baseball was illegal on Sunday and using condoms was against the law. See Booze, Bets & Sex That Built America. Until the 1960s, these were criminal acts: birth control, especially for single women. shopping on Sundays marriage [even sex] outside one’s race More. At the annual meeting of the International Society of Political Psychologists, Shawn Rosenberg stated that democracy is devouring itself and won’t last. Why? “When people are left to make political decisions on their own they drift toward the simple solutions right-wing populists worldwide offer: a deadly mix of xenophobia, racism and authoritarianism.” More. Bill Maher’s comments in the following video add insights. Succeed and Soar! Illustrated Wisdom Collection The inspiring and beautiful work in these Fine Art America collections is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks for your support! NOTE: size and placement of the art and words]can be changed as well as background colors.
Earth’s Best Hope 1: We The People
On December 1, 1862, Abraham Lincoln ended his Annual Message to Congress with, We — even we here — hold the power, and bear the responsibility. In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free — honorable alike in what we give, and what we preserve. We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth. Other means may succeed; this could not fail. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just — a way which, if followed, the world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless. Source Two phases that stand out are: The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just. The last best hope of earth. Because many Americans have come to feel their that their votes don’t count and this democracy is failing, we need mayors, governors, legislators, judges and, certainly, presidents who’ve demonstrated they can lead everyone toward achievements that the world will want to emulate and generations in the next century will admire. Keeping in mind that the United States contains more nationalities, ethnicities, creeds, colors, languages, religions than any other country, what goals could unite us? Before closing this post, answer this question: What must our leaders lead all of US toward? Share a wish that could help US be the last best hope of Earth. A web site is being developed where, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union,” conversations can be explored. Preamble to US Constitution, which begins, We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Succeed and Soar! Wisdoms Collection The inspiring and beautiful work in the Fine Art America collections is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks for your support! CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Choose background colors
Soul Words: Created Family
Cousins are friends who already know how crazy your family is. – Source Unknown Sometimes, Richard Bach’s words prove true, “Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.” [Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah] Bach also wrote, “The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.”As described in a Rick Riordan novel, “Families are messy. Immortal families are eternally messy. Sometimes the best we can do is to remind each other that we’re related for better or for worse―and try to keep the maiming and killing to a minimum.” For mere mortals, Thought Catalog acknowledges, “You may have purposely severed certain connections because they became too toxic for you, because you finally realized the truth — that blood doesn’t determine whether or not someone deserves a place inside of your universe. Despite what you grew up believing, your family members aren’t always the people who were inside of the hospital room on the day of your birth. Your family members aren’t always the people that your genetics bind you to biologically. Read more If the family you’re born into isn’t the one you need,” Shondaland suggests, Get rid of guilt about disengaging Value the people you have Read more Did you know that there are six types of families? Traditional, Blended, Extended, Single Parent, Same Sex, Childless and the Family You Choose.There are also Nuclear, Step and Grandparent families, each with strengths and weaknesses. Whatever the situation, families can be, “like that annoying itch you can’t scratch. ”Maybe Shailene Woodley is right, “Every family is dysfunctional, whether you want to admit it or not.” If so, remember these quotes, “Caller ID was invented for family screening.” “Siblings are your first frenemies.” “Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” – George Burns “The great advantage of living in a large family is that early lesson of life’s essential unfairness.” – Nancy Mitford “‘Well, that escalated quickly’ is our family motto.” “The capacity for friendship is God’s way of apologizing for our families.”–Jay McInerney The Wanderings & Wonders Shop Enriching and Beautiful Art Click Here
Creativity Encouragements
You have a masterpiece inside you, you know. One unlike any that has ever been created, or ever will be. If you go to your grave without painting your masterpiece, it will not get painted. No one else can paint it. Only you. — Gordon MacKenzie For decades, I’ve gathered precious insights. Each one I read is like a breath of life. They lift my spirit and remind of the good we can do and marvelous things we can be. I hope this web site’s words and images uplift, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. I hope they gladden your heart. To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts – such is the duty of the artist. ~Schumann When Bach was asked how he thinks of so many new tunes, Bach is said to have answered, according to my version, “I have no need to think of them. I have the greatest difficulty not to step on them when I get out of bed in the morning and start moving around my room. ~Laurens Van der Post The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. –Aristotle Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together. ~John Ruskin Our feelings are our most genuine paths to knowledge. They are chaotic, sometimes painful, sometimes contradictory, but they come from deep within us. And we must key into those feelings. … This is how new visions begin. –Audrey Lorde Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Beautiful, inspiring Succeed and Soar posters. Sizes from 8”x6.5” to the popular 30” x 23.5” Four Shape Options: Natural, Vertical, Horizontal and Square Printed on acid-free paper with archival inks Includes 1” white border to allow for future framing and mounting View All Posters Thanks for shopping!
Understanding Children
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. ~Pablo Picasso For decades, I’ve gathered precious insights. Each one I read is like a breath of life. They lift my spirit and remind of the good we can do and marvelous things we can be. I hope this web site’s words and images encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. I hope these words of wisdom about children gladden your heart. Treat the world well … It was not given to you by your parents … It was lent to you by your children. –Kenyan proverb You are not the child of the people you call mother and father, but their fellow-adventurer on a bright journey to understand the things that are. – Richard Bach Children Learn What They Live If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. If children live with hostility, they learn to fight. If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive. If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves. If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy. If children live with jealousy, they learn what envy is. If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty. If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient. If children live with encouragement, they learn to be confident. – Dorothy Law Nolte Two of the greatest gifts we can give our children are roots and wings. — Hodding Carter The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere in which we are permitted to remain children all of our lives. –– Albert Einstein Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Life Well Lived offers floral photographs, wise words and invitations to see life as a garden of possibilities. This 60-page book offers lots of space for personal notes, sketches and meditations. Here are opportunities to both enjoy life’s seasons and find enrichment. A great gift. * 5×8 $14.50 Preview and Purchase. * 8×10 $19.00 Preview and Purchase. Thanks for shopping! While a How-To Illustrated Wisdom video is developed for Life Well Lived, here’s a helpful companion, Self Care through Visual Journaling: 5 Easy Steps.
Right to Bear Arms & Gunfight at OK Corral
Did you know that the most famous gunfight in the wild west happened when Vigil Earp deputized his brothers Wyatt and Morgan plus Doc Holliday to enforce Tombstone Arizona’s ‘No Carry” law? These laws existed in places like Abilene, Deadwood and Dodge City so that citizens could feel safe and enjoy civilized society by refusing guns inside their towns. Read more. The Gun Fight at the OK Corral took place October 26, 1881, ninety years after the United States modified the Constitution. The Second Amendment granting citizens the right to buy, own and carry arms reads, “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” So, the Second Amendment protects gun ownership for: Well-regulated Militias Necessary to the security of a free State To this understanding, the Wall Street Journal adds, “The Second Amendment cannot, in good faith, be interpreted to establish a right to individual gun ownership. … The inherent purpose of a gun is to kill. An item whose sole purpose is bloodshed does not deserve the protection of the Constitution.” Read more. On March 4, 1791, Vermont was accepted into this country’s union, so that just fourteen states existed to ratify the Bill of Rights. Times have changed since France still owned Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Texas, Colorado, Montana, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Colorado and Wyoming were Mexican Further, in the days of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, learning to load and shoot a firearm was a complicated process that required training and practice. In 1791, mass shootings wouldn’t have been possible. As noted in FireArms Then and Now, “a maniac could get off only one shot into a crowd, then while he was spending thirty seconds trying to reload, the rest of the people … would take his gun away.” Jimmy Kimmel’s poignant monologue on May 26 [see below] offered several, noteworthy observations on gun violence in the United States, including: Firearms are now #1 cause of death for children and teens. This is not a time for Moments of Silence. This is a time to be loud and to stay loud and not stop until we fix this. Some people say this is a mental health problem. Others say it’s a gun problem. It’s both. And it can be both. So let’s work on both. How? Six Ways to Reduce Gun Violence in America: Five Things you Can Do Now to End Gun Violence Prevent More Deaths Also, honor those who died so that the freedoms and opportunities described in our Declaration of Independence become true for everyone: We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Succeed and Soar, Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. Shop Sandra’s Galleries Puzzles are made from premium 0.2” thick paper stock Include a semi-gloss coating that makes the top vibrant Arrives in a puzzle box with artwork printed on top for safe storage Puzzle pieces are unique shapes 18×24-inch has 500 pieces. 20×28-inch puzzle has 1,000 pieces. Buy Sandra’s art framed, on canvas, as posters. Also on totes, weekenders, tee shirts, journals, caps, baby onesies, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and more. Purchase this puzzle. Shop All Collections HERE.
Bouncing Back
Every strike brings me closer to the next home run. – Babe Ruth For decades, I’ve gathered precious insights. Each one I read is like a breath of life. They lift my spirit and remind of the good we can do and marvelous things we can be. I hope these words of wisdom encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. I hope the Succeed and Soar web site gladdens your heart. Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure. – Napoleon Hill I am not what happened to me. I am what I chose to become. – Carl Jung Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. – Winston Churchill You don’t drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there. – Ed Cole Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great. – John D. Rockefeller Shop Succeed and Soar Inspirations and Art on Onesies As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and more The high quality and unique Onesies produced by Fine Art America: Come in four sizes [6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months] Are 100% pre-shrunk cotton Offer choice of 12 colors [including white, gold, pink, red, Kelly green and more] Are machine washable Price: $26 CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Choose from twelve, onesie colors Purchase this onesie [choose from 4 sizes] Shop All Art and Collections HERE. Thanks for your support!
Forgive and Forget Revisited
In February, 2020, the merits of ‘Forgive and Forget’ were weighed. Part 1 of 2 were titled “Sometimes, Maybe.” Here are inspirations that update. Forgive and Forget, Healing Thoughts You can forgive someone almost anything. But you cannot tolerate everything…We don’t have to tolerate what people do just because we forgive them for doing it. Forgiving heals us personally. To tolerate everything only hurts us all in the long run. – Lewis B. Smedes It is not “forgive and forget” as if nothing wrong had ever happened, but “forgive and go forward,” building on mistakes of the past and the energy generated by reconciliation to create a new future. – Alan Paton Achieving a state of grace, peace and well-being after being injured is the primary goal. Certainly, when harm results from a pure, innocent accident, forgiving whoever caused the problem may help, as acts of generosity and understanding. When hurt by willful negligence and reckless disregard, outrage and anger may the healthiest response, eventually leading to grace and peace. As for those who deliberately and repeatedly injure, those on the receiving end must first take protective, preventive steps, then learn and grow from the experiences while moving on. Forgiving those who have mistreated, misused and abused can be inappropriate and become irrelevant. – Source Unknown Ruminating about the past will get you nowhere. So go ahead and learn from the past whatever you can, and then put it behind you. Remember, there is nothing you can do to change it, but you can use its lessons to improve your future. — Abraham J. Twerski Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. – Lewis B. Smedes Learn from yesterday, live for today. – Albert Einstein COMMENT. Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. Shop Succeed and Soar Puzzles Puzzles are made from premium 0.2” thick paper stock Include a semi-gloss coating that makes the top vibrant Arrives in a puzzle box with artwork printed on top for safe storage Puzzle pieces are unique shapes Purchase this puzzle. Shop All Collections HERE.
Seek Quality Life
Tough times never last, but tough people do. – Rev. Robert. H. Schuller As our country wrestles with birth rights, why not pour the same energy and monies into creating a welcoming civilization? Why not build quality health care, good homes, wholesome environments, excellent education and meaningful employment for all who’ll grow embryos to toddlers, and on from adolescence to adulthood then middle and old age? Humans require affection plus years of parental care and preparation to thrive and contribute to society. So, shouldn’t Pro Life Choice laws also, at the same time, call communities to invest in more nurturing and prosperous, supportive and peaceful worlds for the unborn entering this 21st century? Illustrated Wisdoms Collection The inspiring and beautiful work in my Fine Art America collections is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks for your support! NOTE: size and placement of the art and words]can be changed as well as background colors.