BS: Something to ponder for 2012

Subject: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 01:23 PM

The following was posted on Mudcat about ten years ago as "Something to Ponder for 2001." I don't recall the person that posted this, and I can't find the original via Mudcat's search. Anyway it's still timely and relevant, so ...

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change In a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married...you are very rare

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

Have a good day, every day of 2001, count your blessings, and pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are, and lets see if we cannot change some of the above statistics in the future, Happy new Years Everybody.

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 04:39 PM

Certainly worth ponering. Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 05:40 PM

It's so true BigDaddy, we're all much more blessed and lucky then we sometimes realise. I know I have much to be thankful for. But I would like to add that, having realised this, what are we going to do about it? Shouldn't we be trying to find ways to 'Help the Poor Struggler'? We could each do our bit to change the world for the better.

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: maeve
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 05:49 PM

Here's the thread you wanted, BigDaddy: Something to ponder for 2001

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: kendall
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 08:26 AM

WOW! Maybe I CAN afford the new BMW. (No, not the Big Maine Woman.))

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 03:55 PM

I just finished another mystery novel by Canadian author, Louise Penny. One of the characters was an older, very ugly man, very wealthy and a survivor of a Japanese POW camp during WWII. He had an air of calm, positive life, but was very quiet and known to "do his sums" in the morning and evening during a sort of quiet contemplation near a lake at a lodge in the mountains of southern Canada. It was thought his "sums" were the monies he knew were adding up due to his wife's wealth and his own investments.

Near the end of the novel, he and the chief inspector are conversing when he corrects the inspector who had called him a "prisoner" during WWII. He tells the c.i., he was never a prisoner, even though he was kept as a POW. He was also one of the only ones to survive the ordeal. He asks the c.i. how he thinks he survived those terrible days when other didn't even though they shared the same awful depredations.

The c.i. asks how he survived and why he didn't consider himself a prisoner. The old man tells him, he counted his sums. When the c.i. asks for clarification, the old man says, "I counted my blessings, every morning and night." Which, of course, was what he continued throughout his life.

Throughout the book, she frequently quotes Milton's,

The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.

Penny's writing of it is much better than what I've posted, but I still love the resolution and try to do the same, though I do whinge sometimes. I know I have many blessings, esp. compared to so many.

May all find peace and prosperity in the coming year.

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 04:36 PM

If you have piles, liver failure, kidney failure, heart problems, gout, sexually transmitted diseases, zits, and any other ailment... rejoice because you are still here to read these words and whilst there is hope... keep hoping!!!! You are still here!!! Bless you!

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Dec 11 - 04:57 AM

kat, I finished that book yesterday! & also loved that section.

I might whinge that I didn't get enough pressies (poooooor me!) & have lots of sore bits (bones & muscles - groan) but I have good health in general, have enough friends, & enough stuff & I can help those in need. My blessings outweigh my whinges & moans!

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 28 Dec 11 - 07:18 AM

That is a great piece; I have sent it to many friends.

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Dec 11 - 10:04 AM

I think we should also celebrate if we are free NOT to partake in a religious ceremony or obey a religious shibboleth if that is our wish. This freedom is under assault from religious zealots of all kinds, in the UK, in the US, as well as around and east of the Mediterranean.

We should celebrate if elected (or nearly so) leaders serve the people rather than religion or capital, and if we are free to change them at the ballot without interference. This is under threat in the UK, in the US, as well as around and east of the Mediterranean.

We should celebrate if we have free and ready access to information without propaganda. This is under threat in the UK, in the US, as well as around and east of the Mediterranean.

We should celebrate if people of colour race and gender (and sexual orientation) are treated equally. This is under threat in the UK, in the US, as well as around and east of the Mediterranean.

We should celebrate if the law applies equally to rich as to poor and to rulers as to the governed. This is under threat in the UK, in the US, as well as around and east of the Mediterranean.

We should celebrate if those in need of support and help and healthcare and education receive those things without discrimination, unfair advantage, detriment or monetary disembowelment. This is under threat in the UK, in the US, as well as around and east of the Mediterranean.

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Dec 11 - 10:35 AM

Lot of shoulds and ifs in there, Richard. I get your meaning, though.

Sandra, I love her characters and beautiful descriptions!

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: Musket
Date: 28 Dec 11 - 11:14 AM

Sounds good Bridge, full of whatever it is full of.

I agree with some of it too. (That pattern again.)

Perhaps we should ponder though for 2012 on what is happening over in reality land;

Freedom of Information Act means there is LESS threat of access without propaganda than ever before.

Equality Act means there is more chance than ever of being being treated equally regardless of whether you are a hatchback, saloon or coupe, what paint you were sprayed with or what engine you have under your bonnet, even which country you were assembled in so long as you have a V5 document from DVLA.

I reckon I know more about the healthcare bit than anything and whilst there are threats to the infrastructure of The NHS, the only disembowelment is by colorectal surgeons and they are allowed to do it, if you sign informed consent. Healthcare is sometimes perceived as being discriminatory but mainly by The Daily M*il, rarely by patients.

You see, we may be going to Hell in a handcart, but it is about not only cherishing what we have, but acknowledging when successive governments strengthen those social advances. Cameron may be wrong on many things and I could never vote for him, but I don't see him trying to repeal them. In fact, The Equality Act was introduced under the last government but voted through and enacted under this one. Hardly fitting his stereotype is he?

Stick to your first three words of each sentence, "We should celebrate." And try celebrating rather than getting all worked up over situations that are the exception rather than systematic.

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: autolycus
Date: 29 Dec 11 - 11:05 AM

I don't wish to derail this thread. I thought some might be interested in the responses I got when I posted the quote on another talkboard i use.

WARNING

They aren't as agreeable as 'catters, and it's always the negatives who post first.

wickeltisch - 29 Dec 2011 15:50:35 (#2 of 12)

Sounds like one of these circulating spams.

saintmatt2 - 29 Dec 2011 15:53:15 (#3 of 12)

Pile of old bollocks


rafibrown - 29 Dec 2011 15:54:18 (#4 of 12)

If you have a bucket after reading all this, you are the most lucky person in the world.

bigdave82 - 29 Dec 2011 15:55:04 (#5 of 12)

Load of old cock

Agaliarept - 29 Dec 2011 15:55:35 (#6 of 12)

Hi,

Is this the meeting for the angry old cynics group?


wickeltisch - 29 Dec 2011 15:56:06 (#7 of 12)


We also embrace young cynics.



Any original responses welcome. Personally, I think the original gave one pause to mull.

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Dec 11 - 01:05 PM

Autolycus - grumpier than Mudcat? Maximum respect!

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Dec 11 - 06:47 PM

Richard: Albert Ellis, through his considerable years of studying humans, found that those who do not use the words "should" or "ought" are happier than those who do. My take on this is that, rather than "shoulding" on ourselves, we need to look at the why of what we do. For example: "I should phone/write... {a certain stipulated person}." Why? - I want to keep in touch? I feel duty-bound? They will be upset if we do not? I will be sad if I do not? ??????

So why not say " I really want to phone... to see how they are. " "I am going to phone mom so she will feel good." etc.

I have been known to respond to a "Dorothy, you should...." "Don't you should on me!"

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: GUEST,999
Date: 29 Dec 11 - 08:41 PM

You use too many words. Just say, "Fuck off!"

Hope Christmas was good and that the new year is great for you and R.

BM

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: autolycus
Date: 30 Dec 11 - 06:30 AM

Richard B.

I am puzzled by your posts.

Your first of the 28th seemed to approve of the original stuff to ponder cos you were adding to it.

Your second of the 29th expressed respect to posters on another thread who shat on the original stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: LadyJean
Date: 31 Dec 11 - 01:18 AM

My dad spent time in a German POW camp. Eventually, he escaped, and walked across Poland to the Russian lines in wintertime. He let us know that if we were not in those circumstances, we were fine.

Dad looked after his mother when she was dying of cancer. He knew there was something worse than that. I think he also expected to be there, to look after mom, if something happened to her. He died 10 years before she did, and I'll be grateful to him all the days of my life for not telling me how bad it was going to be taking care of her.

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 31 Dec 11 - 09:45 AM

Having heard my husband's accounts of excruciating suffering in his own family and home area, and seen it in other parts of Africa, I can truthfully say that those sort of things give you a new view of what constitutes a 'problem'. It's all relative isn't it? I was moved to read your post, LadyJean. Your Dad was surely a strong and brave man.

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 31 Dec 11 - 10:59 AM

To the Scrooges out there who see things as bad and getting worse, I'd rather be like Scrooge's nephew, Fred. Focus on what you have and can do, rather than what you've lost or never had. I know a number of people who constantly grumble about how awful things are politically, socially, environmentally, etc. Almost to a person, when asked, they will admit to not really doing anything about their pet peeves. They don't recycle, don't vote, don't donate their time or dollars to the causes they do believe in. They don't sign or initiate petitions, haven't marched or sat in since the '60s, etc. Change.org is a good example of a new and exciting way to effect change. The next time you hear someone complaining about things, try asking them "what are you doing or going to do about it?" Anyroad, thanks to Jimmy C. for the original post (where are you, Jimmy?). Peace, people.

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 31 Dec 11 - 02:30 PM

Very positive and hopeful approach BigDaddy. Moaning doesn't change anything!

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: autolycus
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 08:42 AM

Richard Bridge

Sorry you couldn't clarify that point.

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 09:12 AM

Didn't read it. Until now.

You misread my first post. I was criticising the "God save Free America" ambience of the OP.

You misread my second post too - surely anywhere that can be grumpier than the mudcat merits respect even if not shock and awe.

"Should" is a word that shows we have an ethical system. I therefore approve of it. I approved of it in the 60s and I still do. I still protest and seek to change what in my view needs changing.

Richard Bridge (aged nearly 63 1/2)

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: saulgoldie
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 09:20 AM

Ponder this:
Once again (and still) I hope to hear more "light than heat" as people discourse on various topics. Sticking to facts and logical argument rather than fiction, easily identifiable logical fallacies, and nasty ad hominem attacks. And if you don't mind, hows about actually proof-reading yer posts for really stoopid language usage which makes it more difficult for us to know exactly what you mean? (Maybe that's too much??) Well, at least *ponder* it, please. Thoughts lead to action, lead to change. I hope...

Saul

Subject: RE: BS: Something to ponder for 2012
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 23 Nov 14 - 12:30 PM

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