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Read a Friend’s Heart:
March 20th, 2008
“Behead a month, and find a beautiful
form.”
BIRTHDAYS: Balthasar Bekker, Frisian theologist
(Examiner of Comets) is 374; Henrik Ibsen is 180; Harvard
President Charles William Elliot is 174; heayweight boxer
George Godfrey (Old Chocolate) is 155; Edgar Buchanan (Hopalong
Cassidy’s last sidekick) is 106; Abraham Beame and Ozzie
Nelson are 102; Michael Redgrave is 100; Judith Evelyn is
95; Sviatosiav Richter is 94; Werner Klemperer is 88; Carl
Reiner is 86; John D. Erlichman is 83; Ted Bessell is 82;
the immortal Fred Rogers is 80; Pat Riley is 63; Theresa Russell
and Spike Lee are 51, and Holly Hunter is 50.
On this first day of Spring, I keep hearing Fred Rogers’s
wonderfully reassuring, sincere, encouraging voice: “I
like you just the way you are!”
Here is a poem for Spring’s first glorious day:
Reminder
I remember running into his house on Ocean View,
Full of myself as usual, chattering on and on
About all of the important things I’d done that day.
George sat in a red wingback chair and listened,
Never interrupting, like a man serenely waiting out a storm.
When I ran out of things to brag about he said,
“Today I planted a single row of beans.”
I felt so warm and foolish as he smiled.
I felt calmer, centered, good!
On this dawn of a new season, the birthing season, the growing
season, I’m thinking of the importance of mentoring.
Here are wise words by Marianne Williamson from her current
Bestseller, THE
AGE OF MIRACLES:
“Mentoring isn’t something nice you do, or even
necessarily a conscious choice. It’s a pattern you magnetize
to yourself as part of the natural order. As you grow more
mature, those behind you in time — ones who would be
most served by your teaching— automatically appear in
your life.”
Her second sentence is fascinating, isn’t it? That’s
an odd, new, and effective way to imagine mentoring! I am
always thrilled when people share their mentoring (or apprenticing)
stories with me! If anyone would like to share them, I’d
love to hear your stories, perhaps even share them with our
fellow readers here or on the website blog. Feel free to share
if you’re so moved!
And on this first spring day I am also thinking of the demonstrations
in Tibet. I know all of our prayers are united in calling
for peace and a resolution to Tibet’s occupation by China.
The other morning I was reading in The Dalai Lama’s book,
HIS
ESSENTIAL WISDOM, and was moved by these words:
“In the case of one individual or person like myself,
the practice of compassion and religion coincides. But another
individual, without religion, can practice spirituality without
being religious. So, a secular person can be spiritual.”
How often I forget this! Do you, too? Then we are not alone!
*
Before closing, I want to sing the praises of April Elliott
Kent and her new book, STAR
GUIDE TO WEDDINGS: Your Horoscope for Living Happily Ever
After, published just recently by Llewellyn Worldwide (www.llewellyn.com)
and available at B&N.com, Amazon.com, and your local bookstores.
I’ve had more sheer fun reading around in this beautiful
volume than I’ve had in a single book in years! Here
is a sample:
“After all, every marriage has a personality all
its own, with quirks, charms, and a distinctive style of
operating. As certainly as the personality of a friend or
loved one intrigues, inspires, and occasionally exasperates
you, so does the personality of your marriage.”
It’s delightful, personifying marriage, inviting it
to sit down with you and look you in the eye for a good, lifelong
talk!
April’s book boldly, incisively, and entertainingly
answers four questions: What is your purpose for being together?
What does your marriage need and what keeps you together?
What is your marriage style? What does your marriage want
to help you become?
In these pages you’ll discover your marriage sign, read
about famous marriages that share your sign, and learn about
potential strengths, weaknesses, and challenges that you ought
to be aware of as you navigate the rapids of marital bliss.
I know a lot of people who will say, “Gee, I wish I’d
read this book Before marriage number two!”
Well, here it is at last! Treat yourself, and buy the book
for friends and loved ones, too. It’s a great gift, and
of course it’s a must for anyone you know who is contemplating
the sacred union of marriage!
I recommend that you visit April’s website, www.bigskyastrology.com
Blessings Always, and Gardening Bliss!
Robert
www.robertmcdowell.net
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