Laughter is a very underrated tool for healing.
Life doesn’t owe you anything. Neither does anyone else. Only you owe yourself.
Bronnie Ware (born 1957) is an Australian author and songwriter.
Bronnie Ware Quotes
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Author Archives: bigskybuckeye
Monday Memories: Season of Change
In December, 1989, the Romanian Revolution ignited with passion, which would no longer wait in silence. The rest of the Eastern Bloc countries under Soviet influence had already experienced peaceful change from communist dictatorships. Under Nicolae Ceausescu’s harsh leadership, Romania was the final holdout as the democratic wave of freedom blitzed across Eastern Europe. The city of Timisoara was the first in Romania to secure its freedom, with the rest of the country to follow. This poem shares some of this revolution’s story.
Ruthless, authoritarian rule controls the cards
Harsh, brutal regime crushes dissenting voices
Quietness hides the remaining, burning embers
Daily life conceals wounds, offering few choices
Citizens endure lack of even the basic needs
Challenging days, facing endless heartbreak
Darkest days of winter, hunger and little heat
Voices stifled, experiencing numbing heartache
Freedom routed, plummeting to rock bottom
System of repression forcefully controls lives
Defiant opposition, beaten down to nothing
Dictator’s untruths cover up with empty lies
Scattering of small voices continues to speak out
Smoldering protests fueled with hungry passion
Government crackdowns to silence any dissent
Voices growing bolder, backed with compassion
Massive protests ignite courage in a distant city
“Timisoara” becomes a rallying cry for liberation
Unexpectedly, dark and evil house of cards folds
Season of change witnesses rebirth of a nation
Originally published October, 2020.
From My Journal (3/10)
Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com
From Big Sky Buckeye
With our freedom comes responsibility. In the same breath, may we be reciting the Golden Rule.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.
(Updated March 10)
Randy Pausch Quotes
We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.
When we’re connected to others, we become better people. [Both quotes come from Pausch’s “The Last Lecture” given on September 18, 2007.]
Randy Pausch (1960-2008) was an American educator and professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University. His life was cut short by pancreatic cancer, but he persevered to share his final lecture a few months before his death.
Redemption’s Trusted Drum
From the “General Confession” found in the Book of Common Prayer: “We have left undone those things which we ought to have done.”
Skeptics whispering with doubts
Tomorrow shall never come
Priorities breathe empty
Hearing enemy’s distant drum
Disciples praise God each day
Indeed, His kingdom shall come
Priorities set on Christ
Hearing blessed, heavenly drum
Skeptics gather in darkness
Distant worries always come
Priorities ignore light
Hearing only, that hidden drum
Disciples find hope in God
Heaven’s light rises to come
Priorities embrace truth
Hearing faith’s righteous, heartfelt drum
Skeptic’s voices now wither
Tomorrow will surely come
Priorities flee darkness
Hearing echoes of faithful drum
Disciples accept God’s grace
Through Son’s love, sunrise will come
Priorities witness peace
Hearing redemption’s trusted drum
From 2 John 8-9: “Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for but may receive a full reward. Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”
From My Journal (3/9)
Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com
From Big Sky Buckeye
God’s grace embraces our given senses to fully experience and trust our faith in Him.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.
(Updated March 9)
Oswald Chambers Quote
The reception of the Holy Spirit is the maintained attitude of the believer. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive quickening life from the ascended Lord.
From Luke 24:49: “And see, I am sending upon you what My Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Trivia’s Facts and More (3/8)
This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
Brain Teaser Question
Why is the continent of Europe like a frying pan?
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
Ohio-born William Howard Taft becomes the 27th President of the United States following the election of 1908. He serves one term in office, from 1909-1913.
Here are some interesting facts about William Howard Taft:
- Political Party: Republican
- Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio
- Colleges Attended: Yale University, Cincinnati Law School
- LIfespan: September 15, 1857 to March 8, 1930
Much of Taft’s pre-Presidency life focuses on being involved in the Ohio courts as a judge. He serves in the Ohio court system before ascending to the U.S. Court of Appeals. He becomes the only President to serve as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court (1921-1930).
Taft’s other roles embrace being a lawyer as well as a college professor. From 1900-1903, he serves as the first civilian governor of the Philippines. This appointment by President William McKinley follows the American acquisition of the Philippines following the Spanish-American War of 1898.
When Theodore Roosevelt is President, Taft serves as his Secretary of War from 1904-1908. This position serves as a steppingstone for Taft when he runs for President in 1908. Roosevelt steps aside as President after two terms as he decides to forego a third term.
Taft’s time as President is relatively undistinguished. He proves to be more conservative than Roosevelt’s expansive view of Presidential power. In the election of 1912, Roosevelt attempts take the Republican nomination away from Taft, but he is unsuccessful.
Roosevelt bolts away from the Republican Party to lead the Progressive Party, which is nicknamed the “Bull Moose.” With the Republican Party split, Democratic Party candidate Woodrow Wilson easily wins the election, and he will go on to serve as President for two terms.
In 1921, Taft fulfills a lifetime dream of serving on the United States Supreme Court. Ohio-born President Warren Harding taps him to serve as Chief Justice, and Taft serves until his death in 1930.
Because of his large size, Taft earns the nickname of “Big Bill.” His weight of nearly 300 pounds makes him the largest person to ever serve as President.
From top left and moving clockwise: portrait of PRESIDENT taft, portrait of chief justice taft, with theodore roosevelt, taft family home in cincinnati, portrait with Helen taft (his wife), governor-general of the philippines, family portrait with helen and children. (all images courtesy of PINTEREST)
Answer to Brain Teaser Question
Because it has Greece at the bottom.
From My Journal (3/8)
Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com
From Big Sky Buckeye
For many people, it is necessary to evaluate one’s expectations so another day doesn’t become just a repeat of yesterday.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.
(Updated March 8)
William Howard Taft Quotes
We are imperfect. We cannot expect perfect government.
The world is not going to be saved by legislation.
William Howard Taft (1857-1930) was the 27th President of the United States. His birthplace was Cincinnati, Ohio.
Big Sky Buckeye 