“The purpose of life is the expansion of happiness. Happiness is the goal of every other goal”
Deepak Chopra
Nadine Burke Harris gives a dynamic Ted Talk on How Childhood Trauma effects health across a lifetime. Her talk reinforces what many have thought for years. XO W
Ted.com offeres 1900+ talks to stir your mind.
Many of you enjoyed the softer side last week. Let’s do a week on words. Each songs beauty is in the words. Clear your head.This week I want to show another side to a couple of my favorite singer/songwriter/guitarist. They are not “B Sides”, I hear gems without the radio overplay. Pull up a comfy seat, maybe lay on couch with Black Light on. What happens in your house stays there. I want to hear what you think!!! Shout it out! XO W
Fighting to end trafficking is a complex issue. We may not see the change ourselves, we do have to start the ball rolling. We have to understand why trafficking is happening and widely excepted in many countries. I’ve included a link to original article. XO W
I love you Gramps. The memories we made fill my heart with joy. Teaching me how to fish. The first fish I caught, standing up almost turning the boat over. At 13 you gave me a 16 gauge shot-gun, we went to the levees to practice. I shot a duck out of season, you were pretty cool about that. Laughing when I shot at dragonflies. I will always remember throwing trash cans in truck, heading to levy for driving lessons. He picked up more cans on parallel parking.
Gramps didn’t hear this song, he didn’t know Carrie Underwood. He would rather listen to Buck Owens or George Jones, old-time country. This song touched me deeply, I can’t listen to without crying. I’ll see you soon. I know this is my temporary home. XO Melinda
Being recognized by my peers is the greatest compliment. One Among Many oneamongmany@glannste.wp.com has nominated me for The Versatile Blogger Award. He loves to a write on a wide range of subjects, poetry and advocates for mental illness and I can’t forget his sense of humor. Please visit his site for the topic of the day.
The rules as I understand:
Thank the blogger who nominated you.
List the rules and display the award.
Share 7 facts about yourself
Nominate 15 ( Or what you can do) other amazing blogs and comment on theirs. To let them know you nominated them.
Then the 7 magic facts
7 Magic Facts about me.
Not sure they are Magic?
My Magic seven facts
The Internet is my connection to wonders of the world.
I graduated Irving High School class of 1981, 600 walking across a stage in the old Cowboys Stadium.
I’ve parasailed in Aruba, jumped out of plane in Dallas and toured Maui by helicopter. I look for fun every trip. It’s the joy of traveling.
I’m left handed and always in the right side of my brain.
My first encounter with a shark was in Florida, he was 4-5 feet long. Not much to worry about.
I encountered JAWS in St.John,Virgin Island. My ex-husband always had the camera, which means, as his “Buddy” I had to check his equipment and mine. We were 60-70 ft. down, I went to explore. I rounded a corner into a shark nursery, JAWS looked me in eyes. He was 14-15 feet long, I mustered the guts to swim off.
I can’t eat canned green beans. Gramps had a nice garden, I am spoiled with fresh foods.
Nominations
I don’t like to cheat on Awards. Lyme has a stranglehold on me. I’m only nominating a few people.
Van by the River vanbytheriver.wordpress.com
Carnal Abuse by Deceit rapebyfraud.com
BCL Photography bclphoto.net
I loved Sydney, look forward to seeing other regions. Australia is several country’s in one. There are many photos to share with you. The city is so clean, many spend time outside, walking to work, running or other type of fitness. There’s a special connection to us Texans, I felt automatically at home. Must be the twang. If you can handle a challenging climb the Harbour Bridge is a treat. That is my kind of thrill, unfortunately my back isn’t as young anymore. The trill of standing in middle of bridge looking across the city, I haven’t given up , there’s always tomorrow. I can talk forever about what attracts me to the county. We bought several pieces of Aboriginal art. If you looking for Opals, you have many choices.
I hope you get a chance to see the city and have time for the wine country. The wine, so good.
XO W
I loved Sydney, look forward to seeing other regions. Australia is several country’s in one. There are many photos to share with you. The city is so clean, many spend time outside, walking to work, running or other type of fitness. There’s a special connection to us Texans, I felt automatically at home. Must be the twang. If you can handle a challenging climb the Harbour Bridge is a treat. That is my kind of thrill, unfortunately my back isn’t as young anymore. The trill of standing in middle of bridge looking across the city, I haven’t given up , there’s always tomorrow. I can talk forever about what attracts me to the county. We bought several pieces of Aboriginal art. If you looking for Opals, you have many choices.
I hope you get a chance to see the city and have time for the wine country. The wine, so good.
XO W
When introspective, I fall in to music. Music defines a time and space. The memories are not all good, many are from rough times in life. No one knows what each song means to me or why, the answers locked away. A favorite U2 song is ” Running to Stand Still”. Etched in my soul, reflecting on my life.
Pull up a chair or lounge with a lover, Enjoy the beverage. I would pick a Merlot to relax and take in the moment. XO Warrior
NO MORE EXCUSES
No More publishes weekly updates allowing us to hear “The Rest of the Story”. Information we may not know, the good, bad and ugly. The Joyful Heart Foundation started No More Excuses which focuses on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
No More educates, advocates and lobby’s for Survivors Human Rights. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault are two hot issues. I walk away asking did the media share the news? Was the news common knowledge among a certain crowd? The Joyful Heart Foundation and No More reminds me how little information the media includes in “The Story”. XO Warrior
WHAT’S MAKING HEADLINES THIS WEEK?
Ray McDonald’s 2nd Domestic Violence Arrest: Former Chicago Bears defensive end Ray McDonald has been arrested for domestic violence and child endangerment following an assault on a woman who was holding a baby early Monday morning at an apartment in California. This is McDonald’s second arrest for domestic violence charges. #ChicagoSaysNOMORE to McDonald: Following his arrest on Monday, the Chicago Bears terminated their contract with him, after making the controversial decision to sign him in late March. Bears guard Kyle Long tweets “Good riddance” to his former teammate.
Josh Duggar, star of the TLC reality show 19 Kids and Counting, admitted to sexually abusing at least five girls when he was 15 years old. While his parents are calling the abuse “bad mistakes” that Josh made as a “young teenager,” we’re saying #NOMOREexcuses: the sexual abuse of young girls is not a “mistake.” Josh Duggar committed a crime.
We don’t let friends drive drunk so don’t let them sexually assault someone either, says Nicholas Kristof in this must read New York Times op-ed. Students at Carnegie Mellon University are using this “bystander intervention” approach in a new interactive online game in an effort to prevent sexual assault.
Columbia Student Emma Sulkowicz carries mattress to her graduation, after noting at her project’s outset that she would continue to carry the mattress around Columbia University’s campus until either her rapist was expelled or until she graduated.
California is the first state in the nation to establish a specialized NO MORE license plate to fund local programs in the fight against domestic violence and sexual assault. Sign up for the #NOMOREplate at http://www.nomoreplate.org.
18-year-old basketball star launches a NO MORE campaign. Inspired by the NFL Players who took a stand to say NO MORE, Jaired Maddox is speaking out about domestic violence and sexual assault in his East Texas community. Read his story on NO MORE’s website.
The national rape kit backlog is enormous. This month, Washington state passed legislation to require testing of all kits within 30 days of the kit’s collection. This comes at a time when national focus on ending the backlog is increasing: this week, the Senate held a hearing on the backlog and new data was released about the scope of the backlog in Charlotte, NC, Jacksonville, FL, Kansas City, MO, Portland, OR, and San Diego, CA.
Survivors help convince state legislatures to act: Indiana passed Jenny’s Law, a new law allowing rape cases to be prosecuted after the state’s five-year limit expires under special circumstances, like new DNA evidence or a confession. Inspired by Bill Cosby rape allegations, Nevada extended the state’s statute of limitations for sexual assault cases to 20 years on Tuesday.
In Latin America, reproductive rights for sexual assault victims are severely lacking: 34% of girls have been sexually abused by age 18. This month, the story of a 10-year old rape victim who was denied an abortion by the Paraguayan government sparked international outrage.
Stay tuned for more!
– The NO MORE Team
Traveling to Russia was/is number one on my Bucket List, a trip of a life time. Traveling alone without knowing the language is true adventure for me! The hotel provided A+ support and everyone treated me like a Princess. I felt safe walking after dark, the hotel called letting them know I was leaving now. I would get to the restaurant and some one would great me. The Astoria see’s many Costa Nostra everyday. The Astoria is one of two five-star hotels, I can see why they like hanging around. I’m not blind, crime is hard to miss when they wear suits and walk tall like they own the house, right under your nose. The best way to find them is eat around 3:00PM, only two people and inquiring eyes. One day I stopped for a late lunch. Found couple alone, the guy would not take his eye of me, I knew right away. On the way out he came very close to the table and said “American? smiling, enjoy the rest your day”. I’m fascinated by the Mafia. I’ll share how the Mafia touched my life one day.
I fell in love with gypsy music, vodka with every meal, Cathedrals and caviar. Being a short-term Princess wasn’t bad either. I will make another trip to St. Petersburg, maybe a glimpse of Moscow. I was close to boarding the time The Towers fell. Airspace shut down for a week, I left when airspace lifted. Nothing could prepare me for people from many counties coming up telling me how terrible it was, hug me, cry, the beauty of traveling. You never know what’s in the Cracker Jack box. XO Warrior
JESUS ON CROSS, CHURCH OF THE SPILLED BLOOD
CHURCH OF THE SPILLED BLOOD
CHURCH OF THE SPILLED BLOOD
THE RIVER RUNS THRU CITY
GUARDIANS OF THE BRIDGE
lookingforthelight.blog 