Einstein 7: Bicycles
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. – Albert Einstein In 2005, while trying to forget an ex-girlfriend, Jeff Goldblatt realized many struggled with lost hopes and dreams, disappointments and loves. He founded National Get Over It Day This annual opportunity each March 9 [Tuesday, this year] includes a certificate that states, Under no coercion by anyone [except those who are tired of hearing me bitch and complain], I hereby declare that I will get over the following: To keep riding our bicycles during stalls, the Purpose Fairy recommends peddling to a community that feels warmer, safer and more hope filled. Read more. LifeHack.org’s “Five Secrets to Keep Going When You Think You Can’t” include: Fake It Till You make It, because — eventually — the experience teaches something helpful. Read more. Mary Oliver agreed when she said, “Someone I loved once gave me a box of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.” To truly get over those kinds of presents, go garden shopping. Prepare to celebrate National Plant A Flower Day, March 12 [Thursday this year]. Blessings & best wishes, Sandra Gould Ford ***** In my attempt to Get Over Winter and plant flowers, I checked statistics and found my city, Pittsburgh PA averages nine days and almost five inches of snow in March. I investigated more and learned: Falling snow is clear, not white. 7,600 people joined the biggest known snowball battle on January 31, 2016 in Saskatoon, Canada. Six-pointed stars, diamonds and rods are three of over 35 snowflake shapes Here are More Fascinating Snow Facts *****
Einstein 6: Commencements
Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them. – Albert Einstein Did you know that the phrase “Toe the line” is a track and field term about staying behind the starting mark for races? In thinking about starting places, the Ace that begins the Clubs suit in traditional playing cards is re-presented as the Ace of [magic] Wands in Tarot decks. Meditations on that card — a staff, sometimes a torch — suggest fresh starts and invitations to advance, lighting ways to brighter self understandings and elevated self realizations, of facing limits and boundaries with Randy Pausch’s advice. In his Last Lecture about Achieving Childhood Dreams, the professor of computer science, human–computer interaction, and design at Carnegie Mellon University said, “The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.” With Pausch and Einstein’s words in mind, know that March 2nd is Read Across America Day. Why not celebrate the joy of reading with these 10 inspiring short stories. ***** Google’s founders were willing to sell to Excite for under $1 million in 1999. Excite turned them down. Ronald Wayne was a third Apple founder who sold his 10% stake for $800 in 1976. While a 2009 search for the Loch Ness Monster didn’t discover the dinosaur, scientists found over 100,000 golf balls.
Einstein #5: Embracing Widening Circles
Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. – Albert Einstein Imagine freeing ourselves as Einstein recommends. I was searching for information about embracing all of creation when these words from Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov presented, “Love all God’s creation, both the whole and every grain of sand. Love every leaf, every ray of light. Love the animals, love the plants, love each separate thing. If thou love each thing thou wilt perceive the mystery of God in all.” The novel’s 41st Chapter contains thought-provoking conversations about Prayer, Love, Contact with Other Worlds and Hell Fire. True, the world contains enmity, ill will, animosity, indifference, apathy and hatred, the shadows that ensnarl and shrivel human potential. On the bright side, imagine lives liberated and blossoming in widening circles of affection, friendship, tenderness and love … one person and a step at a time. Choices. Here are more for the coming week. Tomorrow, Sunday is National Sticky Bun Day Wednesday is Tortilla Chip Day and Thursday celebrates Pistachio Nuts. Best of all, Friday, Feb 26 is “Tell A Fairy Tale” day. Here are Fairy Tales from Around The World, including “The Golem of Prague” read by Leonard Nimoy [Star Trek’s Mister Spock.] Enjoy! ***** The largest, edible pancake weighed over three tons and measured 49 feet across. The highest toss of a pancake is 31 feet above the ground. The Opus Restaurant in Manchester, England sells single pancakes for $200. They’re served with a jelly named Dom Perignon and are made with Madagascan vanilla pods and 23-carat, edible gold leaf. Read more Pancake Surprises.
Einstein #4: Fun
Creativity is intelligence having fun. – Albert Einstein Because intelligence is how our minds gather and use information, consider: Vertical thinking is when we solve problems logically, like deciding to have more money by working longer and harder. Lateral thinking finds novel solutions to straightforward problems. For wanting more money, a lateral approach could start with deciding why a bigger bank account is desired. Perhaps a fun, satisfying life can be enjoyed without extra jobs. Bilateral thinking involves seeing two sides to situations [the light and the shadow] and balancing logical problem solving with imaginative possibilities. Bilateral thinking has been called a way of drawing, “from both sides of the brain in such a way that creativity is enhanced with one foot in Wonderland and the other solidly standing in the real world.” Read more. So, have fun today [tomorrow and forever]. Here are 17 ways to develop your creativity. Remember: February 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day. Enjoy! ***** Fingernails are flattened claws. Men have nipples because all people start life as females. Nipples are remnant-reminders. People produce enough spit during a lifetime to fill two swimming pools, which is part of the uvula’s job. [The uvula is that pink bulb dangling at back of throat.] Source for these Shocking Truths. These pink dahlia petals are the original photograph from which this post’s Featured Art was adapted. For a limited time, receive special discounts. Save 10% on purchases over $50 with code winter2110. Save 15% on purchases over $100 with code winter2115. Save 20% on purchases over $150 with code winter 2120. Shop my ImageKind galleries. Experiencing awe could be another way of exercising the mind. I felt my brain doing calisthenics while watching this wonderful video. [4:30] Click to view.
Einstein # 3: Imagination, Preview of Coming Attractions
Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. – Albert Einstein Beyond previewing ‘coming attractions,’ how else can imagination help? One of the best answers comes from John The Librarian’s blog where he writes: Imagination is what enables us to recognize that, despite our differences, there are many things that are universal to human existence – pain, suffering, frustration, happiness, love, joy, yearning … [Imagination] allows us to overcome the fear of the Other and accept them as one of our own. Imagination, more than anything else, is what truly differentiates us from other animals. Read more of this timely message. Monday, February 8 is National Kite Flying Day which makes me think of another Einstein statement, “Logic will get you from A to Z. Imagination will get you everywhere.” So, why not let some of your eight types of imagination soar. See where they fly. Here’s how to make kites from plastic bags. Watch. I suspect picking early February to go out and fly kites must be from southerners. For the more northerly and snowbound, mark your calendar! April is National Kite Flying Month. If not this Monday, definitely plan on flying bunches of kites during those Spring-y thirty days. This Post also acknowledges that, this week, Margaret Rebecca Kimball Gould Blakely attained the best of wings after successfully completing her Earth-bound journey of 93 years. Thanks for everything, Mom. ***** Speaking of kites, NationalToday.com reports that, so far: The longest kite was 3,394 feet The fasted recorded kite flew at 120 mph A kite once flew for 180 hours straight and A Japanese kite-maker flew the most kites, 11,284 on a single line ***** Diamonds and Triangles Baby Quilt & Wall Hanging Diamonds and Triangles is my one-of-a-kind, reversible, dual-purpose 24″ x 36″ quilt designed to both cuddle babies and display as wall art. Dramatic African prints form the top. “Diamonds and Triangles” is reversible and is backed by a single fabric of joyfully-dancing figures. To display as wall art, a sleeve for a rod [of this dancing figures fabric] will accompany the quilt. 100% cotton. $250. Visit Shop.
Einstein #2: Gift of Fantasy
The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge. – Albert Einstein During my childhood, I liked Saturday morning cartoons like Mighty Mouse [“Here I come to save the day!”] and Bugs Bunny. At night, I always enjoyed Hollywood musicals like The King and I, Oklahoma and State Fair. There were so many fabulous songs. A favorite is from South Pacific’s “Happy Talk,” which says, You gotta have a dream, if you don’t have a dream, How you gonna have a dream come true? Listen here. In the United States on this coming Tuesday, some will watch a ground hog to learn how much longer winter will last. Because February 2nd is halfway between Solstice and Equinox, winter will always last six more weeks, whether or not that chubby critter sees its shadow. Ancient cultures celebrate this mid-winter event as a time to “wash the Earth’s face,” a time to clean all that’s become old and haggard so that fresh, pure possibilities can shine. This week, why not fantasize about 2021? Pick three, wonderful dreams. Write them each morning. See what comes true, what gifts arrive by year’s end. The gold in Earth’s core could cover every inch of this planet [the oceans, mountains and continents] with a four-foot-thick layer of that shining metal. Source Over 13 billion years after the universe was born, that birth can be watched in the static on television. Source I’ve heard there’s more space between the stars than between the particles in atoms. I just read that – if the contents of the atoms from all 7.8 billion people on Earth were gathered, that mass would fill an apple. Essentially, we’re 99.99999% empty space. Source Diamonds and Triangles Baby Quilt & Wall Hanging Diamonds and Triangles is my one-of-a-kind, reversible, dual-purpose 24″ x 36″ quilt designed to both cuddle babies and display as wall art. Dramatic African prints form the top. “Diamonds and Triangles” is reversible and is backed by a single fabric of joyfully-dancing figures. To display as wall art, a sleeve for a rod [of this dancing figures fabric] will accompany the quilt. 100% cotton. $250. Shop here
Einstein #1: Fairy Tales & Intelligence
If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.– Albert Einstein First, please know that tomorrow, January 24 is National Compliment Day. Offer a few. Wednesday, the 27th is National Chocolate Cake Day [Yum!]. Friday is National Puzzle Day. Have fun! This post begins Succeed & Soar’s Einstein quotes collection.During my research, I found some great support for fairy tales, starting with G. K. Chesterton’s statement, “Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” Dragons became more real that I thought when someone suggested they could be anyone or thing [like a thought] that is a DRAG-ON our spirit, our plans, our progress. So, why not enjoy a fairy tale or two [or three] with your inner child. Here’s a few famous favorites. Perhaps one reason children who experience fairy tales could be more intelligent happens when they evaluate-discuss themes like those in Little Red Riding Hood [a wolf in disguise], The Three Little Pigs [use the best building materials], Snow White [eat with care] and Cinderella [stand up for yourself instead of waiting for a fairy godmother]. Here are two great resources on the importance of fairytales: Imagination Soup Learning Mind Comment below. Happy reading! ***** This Einstein series will include some amazing, nature phenomenon, starting with these beautiful, deep-seat creatures. [04:24] Click picture to view. ***** How many licks are needed to reach the center of a Tootsie Roll pop? University experiments on this important matter have used machines and humans Licks range from 252 to 411. Read more. The Barbie doll’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, from Willows, Wisconsin. Her birthday is March 9, 1959, when she was first displayed at the New York Toy Fair. Read more. The green computer coding in The Matrix movie is created from symbols in a sushi cookbook. Read more.
False Evidence Appearing Real & Cosmic Destinies
I think it not improbable that man, like the grub that prepares a chamber for the winged thing it has never seen but is to be — that man may have cosmic destinies that he does not understand. And so, beyond the vision of battling races and an impoverished earth, I catch a dreaming glimpse of peace. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. An acronym is word spelled from the first letters of other words. FEAR is an acronym that can be built from over 40 phrases, like: Frighten Everyone About Race False Evidence Appearing Real Forgetting Everything About Reality Future Experiences Appearing Ruined Felines Enraged About Rodents FEAR can also be an acronym for: Face Everything And Rise. Read more. Here’s an Acronym for FEARLESS: Faith Exquisite Appealing Radiant Leap Ecstatic Sense Success Let’s be fearless! 7 Things That Are Perfect for Your Soul Fear is a big cause of stress, as well as resentments and worries about loss. This beautiful video offers seven ways to transcend life’s trials, to succeed and soar. [05:16] Click on picture to view. Here’s the YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/pWM-2mLiDMM ***** “The healthiest of all human emotions is gratitude.” — Hans Selye & The Birth of Stress Dr. Hans Selye, who studied stress, its causes and effects, found that gratitude both improves and produces more positive emotional energy than any other attitude.Scientific studies have shown that people who practice sincere gratitude feel better, enjoy happier relationships and need fewer doctor visits than those who focused on their aggravations. Thomas Jefferson said, “One man with courage makes a majority.” Imagine a world where the same is true of gratitude. “Gratitude conserves the vital energies of a person more than any other attitude tested.” — Hans Selye 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.
Samurai Code & Change
It is said that what is called ‘the spirit of an age’ is something to which one cannot return. … For this reason, although one would like to change today’s world back to the spirit of one hundred years or more ago, it cannot be done. Thus, it is important to make the best out of every generation. Hagakure Instead of starting the Einstein series this week, DC happened! Ahhh!!, which recalled the Forrest Whittaker movie Ghost Dog. It led me to study the Samurai code. This post’s quote reminds me that we are quite a few generations beyond the world this country’s Founding Fathers knew. Times change. So should some guidelines. In the 18th century, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton knew social media as a hand-cranked press printing posters. Firearms were single-shot pistols and muskets. This country was thirteen states bordering the Atlantic. There are now four times more New Yorkers than people who lived in the whole United States in 1770. After receiving an Email from my state legislator titled, “Pray for America,” I wrote: Going forward, shouldn’t the Republican and Democratic parties consider a vetting process and guidelines that potential candidates should meet before seeking nomination? Perhaps people who want to run for high state and federal positions should have previously: Served in Public Office Volunteered Published their tax returns Demonstrated statesmanship Thomas Jefferson is credited with saying that, for a democracy to survive, an educated electorate is essential. In this era, a good way to judge candidates is to study their choices, decisions and affiliations. Watch what people do rather than listen to what they [and marketing campaigns] say. Well and truthfully informed, the peoples of the United States can continue to choose both our president and the leader of the free world. We can. Ahh. Spring approaches. Time to plant seeds that will blossom with beauty and grace, health, peace and prosperity. Comment on this post, below. ***** In the 1996 book Speaking with The Devil, Dr. Carl Goldberg describes six stages in the development of malevolent, vicious, evil, wicked, destructive and cruel personalities. First, shame leads to Self Contempt that progresses to Rationalizing the humiliation of others, that then requires Justifying mean behavior, followed by An inability or unwillingness to recognize their malevolence which culminates in Delusions, a façade of superiority and the drama generated by an over-inflated ego. Here’s more information on Anti-Social Personalities. ***** Tom is a medical professional and director of the Pittsburgh Scrabble Club. This week, he wrote members about his Covid inoculation experience: I want to let you know what to expect with the COVID vaccine. Most of the people in my medical office got the vaccine and side effects ranged from mild soreness in the arm to typical flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, body aches). The ones who had the more severe symptoms were the ones who had the COVID infection in the past. The peak of the side effects were about 2 days after the injection for almost everyone. I had arm soreness and swelling on days 1 and 2 and fatigue on day 2. By day 3, I was back to normal. I’ve heard that side effects will be worse with the 2nd dose, which I’m not looking forward to. When asked why no one I saw getting jabbed winced, he answered: No. I barely even felt the needle. It’s a really skinny needle and it doesn’t have to go in far. Most of our staff also felt that way too. But we certainly felt it on day 2. Thanks, Tom! ***** I tried to find Steve Hartman’s “On The Road” segment that aired yesterday evening on CBS Evening News. I guess the story of a critically-ill woman and her nurse was too new. The segment will air again on CBS Sunday Morning, tomorrow. Try to watch. It’s a proof of what we all believe of the United States. In the meantime, here’s another great example of our countrymen at our best. Click picture to view. 02:49 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.
Love Is 5th of 5: Happiness & Husband Recipes
Love is our most unifying and empowering common spiritual denominator. The more we practice its potential to bring greater balance and deeper meaning to human existence, the more likely we are to create a glorious future of man’s humanity to man. In this fifth and final “Love Is” post [for now], Aberjhani’s quote above has been adjusted a bit. Here are his exact words.. In the meantime, consider two recipes from The Writ-by-Hand cookbook, 1983. Recipe for Happiness Mend a quarrel Search out an old friend Dismiss suspicion Show your trust Write a letter Share some treasure Give a soft answer Encourage youth Manifest your loyalty Don’t give up Keep a promise Find the time Forego a grudge Forgive an enemy Open your heart Apologize if you were wrong Try to understand Boot out envy Think first of someone else Appreciate, be kind, be gentle Laugh a little more Do a good job Deserve confidence Reach out Fight prejudice Express your gratitude Gladden the heart of a child Take pleasure in the beauty of nature And always trust in God. How many more can you add? Etta M. Andrews shared this recipe. How to Preserve A Husband Be careful in your selection. Do not hoose too young and take only such varieties as have been reared in good moral atmosphere. When once decided upon and selected, let the past remain forever settled and give entire thought and preparation to domestic use. Some insist on keeping them in a pickle, while others keep getting them into hot water. Even poor varieties may be made sweet, tender and good by garnishing them with kisses. Then wrap well in a mantle of charity. Keep warm with a steady fire of domestic devotion and serve with the fruits of constant devotion and milk of human kindness. When thus prepared they will keep for years. Annie Laurie Boswell Taylor shared this recipe. [She did not know the source.] * I purchased the first and second volumes of this cookbook when visiting Crawfordville, Georgia. That’s where my mother’s mother was born and raised and where her mother was born during the Civil War. I was trying to understand Pinkie Gunn Ellington, my great grandmother by walking the land where she’d known slavery. You, too, have visited Crawfordville if you’ve seen the movies. Sweet Home Alabama, Get Low, Coward of the County, Home Fires Burning, Paris Trout, Summer of My German Soldier, Stars and Bars, Carolina Skeletons, Passion for Justice, Neon Bible, or Pushin’ Up Daisies. I plan to [finally] make recipes from The Writ-by-Hand cookbooks this year, including Cracker Jacks [from Leona Jones], Mississippi Mud [a cake from Mrs. W. C. Jones] and Salt Rising Bread [from Mrs. Lily S. Gunn]. Which LOVE quote is matched to the right movie? “It doesn’t matter if the guy is perfect or the girl is perfect, as long as they are perfect for each other.” ~ My Best Friend’s Wedding ?? “It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.” ~ Great Expectations ?? You’re the first boy I ever kissed, Jake, and I want you to be the last.” ~ Sweet Home Alabama “I wish I had done everything on earth with you” ~ The Great Gatsby. Answers Below. The Writ-by-Hand cookbooks were published by the Taliaferro County Historical Society. The first in 1983. Volume 2 in 1988. I was unable to find information on their cookbook series in time for this post. Here’s their website. If you learn how to order the cookbooks, please share. Please comment on this blog. ********** Five versions of my “Before All Else” Illustrated Wisdom art have been created with Adobe Photoshop. See them in upcoming posts. Support and encourage Succeed and Soar. Purchase the art as prints, ready-to-display canvas or framed from my galleries. Quiz Answers “It doesn’t matter if the guy is perfect or the girl is perfect, as long as they are perfect for each other.” ~ Good Will Hunting “It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.” ~ The Fault In Our Stars You’re the first boy I ever kissed, Jake, and I want you to be the last.” ~ Sweet Home Alabama “I wish I had done everything on earth with you” ~ The Great Gatsby.