Now Is The Time…..
Posted by Michelle Moquin on January 18th, 2010
“….to remind America…urgency is now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquility drug of gradualism….NOW IS THE TIME.”
Do these words sound familiar?
Dr. Martin Luther King…his words have just as much meaning today as they did back then. He could speak them today, and we all would sadly be nodding in agreement to his inspiring words for change. Instead of what my heart wishes: A day of celebrating that racism is no longer a topic of discussion…no longer a feeling that anyone relates to…no longer a word in our vocabulary whose definition needs to be explained to our children.
I am not saying that some things have not changed since 1963; they have, but we all know that racism still strongly exists. Equality is still not a word that stands for all.
As I listen to his speech, I feel my heart pound, my eyes well up, and I am afraid to speak, as my throat feels full, constricted with emotion. My thoughts are Urgency is now….my thoughts are we can not engage in the luxury of cooling off.
Below I posted the “I Have A Dream” speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered on Aug. 28, 1963 in Washington D.C., from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the March of Washington. Please watch it.
“…I have a dream….all men are created equal…my 4 little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
Dr. King: I too have that same dream.
Readers: We can not engage in the luxury of cooling off. There is still so much more to be done. Let’s keep Dr. King’s dream alive and progressing, till we no longer need to have this dream, as it has become our reality. We can not be satisfied until….
Comments? Thoughts? Blog me. I want to post this, so I will refrain from addressing any of you from yesterday, until tomorrow.
Peace out…
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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January 18th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Michelle
Loved your commentary. You are the best.
Evelyn
January 18th, 2010 at 11:58 am
ChiWalking
Danny Dreyer
hi (also spelled “qi” and pronounced chee) is the Chinese concept of a life force that animates all things. It is a type of energy that flows through your body and unites your body, mind and spirit.
We all know that walking is good for us physically. But in ChiWalking, you apply the principles of chi to the simple act of walking to achieve more than just a workout for your body — you also gain balance and alignment in your life.
ChiWalking is a way to get stronger and healthier without stress or strain and with very little chance of injury. Unlike power walking or race walking, it doesn’t involve walking in an unnatural or competitive way. Anyone at any age or level of fitness can learn ChiWalking.
MOVEMENT IS THE KEY
ChiWalking uses good walking form to help you walk more efficiently with less wear and tear on the body. The beauty of ChiWalking is that you can feel the benefits quickly.
Many people with knee and hip problems can still enjoy ChiWalking, because when your body is in alignment and moving correctly, there’s far less impact on your joints. I’ve even taught ChiWalking to people who use canes or walkers.
The basic principle of chi is that it must flow freely through your body. If your body is misaligned or your joints and muscles are tight, the flow of chi will be blocked, just as a crimp in a hose blocks the flow of water.
When the principle of chi is applied to walking, it teaches us to align our spines, engage our core muscles and relax everything else. The energy flows and walking becomes fluid and easy.
A fit mind in a fit body — isn’t that what we all want as we grow older? By following five mindful steps as you walk, your whole being gets an enjoyable workout every time. You can also suit the type of walk you do to harmonize with your current mood and energy level. Here are the five mindful steps to successful ChiWalking…
MINDFUL STEP 1: GET ALIGNED
Body connection: Align your spine so that you stand tall and straight and have good posture while you walk. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and parallel… relax your knees a little… move your shoulders, hipbones and ankles into a vertical line.
Your weight is now being carried by your bones, rather than your muscles, just as steel pillars support a skyscraper. Your muscles can now move more freely and easily.
Mind connection: The chi concept of “needle in cotton” applies here. Imagine a needle poked down through the middle of a ball of cotton. The needle is the thin, strong, straight line running through the center of the cotton.
Think of your spine as the needle and your arms and legs as being as light as cotton. Gather energy in toward your spine and let your arms and legs relax. Get mentally aligned with your intentions for your walk.
MINDFUL STEP 2: ENGAGE YOUR CORE
Body connection: Your core muscles are the lower abdominal muscles that stabilize your pelvis when you stand, walk or run. They also hold your spine erect and help lift your legs. When your core muscles are strong, your body is stable.
You can stand up straight easily and move your arms and legs easily. To engage your core muscles, level your pelvis — stand up straight in alignment, as described above, and then lift up on your pubic bone by using your lower abdominal muscles. This may take a little practice, but you’ll soon learn to feel those muscles and get them to work.
Once you’ve got your posture aligned and your pelvis level, stand tall and tilt your upper body forward just a quarter of an inch. This will keep your upper body aligned and moving forward — which allows gravity to do most of the work as you walk.
Mind connection: Your inner core is your internal sense of self. When you engage your inner core, you feel grounded and centered. You have willpower when you need it.
MINDFUL STEP 3 : CREATE BALANCE
Body connection: Imagine your body in the shape of a letter C — your spine is straight, your chin is down slightly, and your pelvis is rising slightly in front because you’re lifting it slightly, as explained in Step 2. Your upper and lower body are in balance and ready to move forward.
Mind connection: Take a balanced approach to your walks, spreading them evenly across the week and never going beyond what your body tells you is right. As you get fitter, feel how your mind and body become more in balance with each other.
MINDFUL STEP 4: MAKE A CHOICE
Body connection: Choose to walk regularly, even on days when you don’t really feel like it. Try to walk for at least 30 minutes on most days — but if you can’t squeeze it in, even 15 minutes will improve your cardiovascular fitness and improve your outlook on life.
Mind connection: Overall, choose to create health. On a daily basis, choose the kind of walk you want. If you’re feeling scattered or stressed, a slower, more meditative walk might be better than a fast cardiovascular workout.
MINDFUL STEP 5: MOVE FORWARD
Body connection: To walk, push your core ahead with each step, letting gravity move the rest of your body forward. Work with gravity — don’t fight it. Listen to your body and move only as fast as is comfortable for you. Good form is more important than speed.
Mind connection: Now is the time for action and resolve. As you walk, focus your mind on maintaining good form. Bear in mind that each step is part of going forward with your quest for lifelong energy and health.
THE PRACTICE OF WALKING
By “practice” I mean walking as a regular, mindful activity that works to enhance your quality of life. When you make walking a regular practice, you raise it beyond just healthful physical exercise. It becomes a way to focus your energy and to channel your thoughts — because your chi is flowing freely.
Bottom Line/Retirement interviewed Danny Dreyer, a walking and running coach and nationally ranked ultramarathon runner based in Asheville, North Carolina, chiwalking.com. He conducts workshops and lectures at races and other events nationwide.
January 18th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
The debate about the buildup is getting hotter. Those of you off the Island should do as much as you can to keep informed.
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Both sides of buildup debate release lists: Chamber, Coalition post 14 separate reasons on their Web sites
BY AMRITHA ALLADI • PACIFIC DAILY NEWS • JANUARY 19, 2010
Increased crime rates, stresses on the public school system, and more sex and drug trafficking are reasons the Guåhan Coalition for Peace and Justice says the military buildup’s economic opportunities will be overshadowed by its negative impacts.
Responding to the Chamber of Commerce’s “14 Reasons Why We Need the Military Buildup,” the Guåhan Coalition of Peace and Justice released “14 reasons Why We Don’t Need the Military Buildup.”
According to the list posted on the Chamber’s Web site, the relocation of 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents to Guam will provide revenues “our government desperately needs … in order to provide services our people depend on.” The list includes a revenue surge, infrastructural improvements and investments in health-care facilities and equipment as benefits resulting from the buildup.
Yet the coalition argues there is no mention of the 26,000 jobs that will no longer be needed by 2017, according to Audrey Ward, a member of the coalition.
Among the things listed by the coalition of what the draft EIS doesn’t provide are solutions for job competition between Guam residents and 9,000 military dependents scheduled to arrive.
“There are no training options outlined in the EIS to help unemployed Guamanians better qualify for buildup jobs,” the coalition list states. “The military will not be helping locals get any of the positions they are offering.”
Neither has the local government, for the most part. The bulk of job training being offered in connection with the military buildup has been provided by the Guam Contractors Association’s Trades Academy, with some construction-related programs at Guam Community College.
The coalition also says tourism will be hindered by an increase in crime.
Plus, some tourism expansion opportunities also may curbed, too, according to Gary Hiles, chief economist with the Guam Department of Labor.
“Increased military activities will open up new economic opportunities, but at the same time, will limit or preclude operation or expansion of other productive economic activities which could employ a large number of people in more labor intensive activities, such as tourism, due to increased land use and access restrictions and create costs of opportunities lost for other activities,” Hiles said.
January 18th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
The spoken men for the right are only about enriching themselves from the ignorance, greed, bigotry and racism of their followers. Here is another example of one of their spoke persons availing herself of that opportunity.
Profit from Obama’s Anti-Reagan
Dear Fellow Conservative,
President Obama didn’t attend the 20th Anniversary celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall last November (he had another “date night” with Michelle, I believe). But if he had attended, I think I know what he would have said.
Turning to former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev (who actually did attend), Obama would have declared, “Mr. Gorbachev, rebuild this wall!”
Indeed, I sometimes suspect that Obama’s sole approach to any policy problem is to ask himself “What Would Reagan Do?” and then do the opposite — while expecting the same results. So, for instance, Obama thinks that by raising taxes, increasing spending, and weakening the dollar he can restore prosperity just as effectively as Reagan did by cutting taxes, slashing spending, and strengthening the dollar.
Well, he’ll find out soon enough that he can’t. But in the meantime, what about you and me? How can we protect ourselves financially as Obama takes his wrecking ball to the entire U.S. economy?
To begin with, we have to face reality: In an age of soaring taxes, near-zero interest on savings, and the looming threat of hyperinflation, we can no longer afford to be passive with our money. We must take active measures to grow our portfolios through profitable investments and to protect it from the IRS.
That sounds difficult, I know. But it doesn’t have to be — if you get the right kind of financial advice from someone you can really trust. And if you don’t happen to know someone like that — well, fortunately I do.
His name is Mark Skousen — the brilliant free-market economist (with a Ph.D. and 26 books to prove it) whose award-winning investment newsletter, Forecasts & Strategies, has been steering subscribers to steady double-digit annual profits for nearly 30 years, through booms and busts and everything in-between.
In fact, Dr. Skousen is virtually alone among today’s investment advisors in having predicted — two years before, with the words “We clearly are headed for fiscal disaster” — the bursting of the credit bubble in 2008 (unlike the Wall Street whiz-kids who were too busy playing in their subprime-mortgage bubble-bath).
Not only that, but Mark Skousen’s record clearly shows he was equally ahead of the curve in having predicted — and shown his subscribers how to profit from — nearly every major other market trend of the past three decades, including:
• The Dow’s 2009 rebound to 10,000 — which he predicted in March — when the Dow was below 7,000
• The credit collapse of 2008
• The tax-cut-fueled recovery of the middle Bush years
• The tech-stock meltdown of 2000
• The quadrupling of the NASDAQ in the ‘90s
• The market crash of October 1987
• The Reaganomics-fueled boom of the early and middle ‘80s
How does he do it? Dr. Skousen, you see, is that rare sort of investment advisor who can not only size up a particular company or stock on its own individual merits, but who can also see it in the context of broader economic and even geo-political trends (skills he honed as a CIA economist earlier in his career).
Nowadays, with our out-of-control federal government making and breaking companies — even entire industries — with a wave of its legislative and regulatory wands, you simply can’t risk being an investor without the kind of big-picture analysis that Mark Skousen brings to each one of his individual investment picks.
And that’s just the beginning of what Mark Skousen does for you in Forecasts & Strategies. Suffice it to say that you’ll find here all the tools, all the analysis, and all the advice you need to turn even a modest investment into a substantial fortune. The kind of fortune that can protect you from economic downturns like today’s, and assure you a prosperous, worry-free retirement.
But don’t take my word for it. Right now, you can get a full year of Mark Skousen’s Forecasts & Strategies for less than the average monthly cable bill — completely risk-free. Why not give it a try? I’m confident you’ll thank me later.
Click here to learn more.
Sincerely,
Laura Ingraham
P.S. My friend Dr. Mark Skousen has just identified 5 “Obama-Proof” investments you need to own NOW to help you survive — and thrive — as Obama takes his wrecking ball to the U.S. economy . It’s all part of a FREE Investor’s Dossier Dr. Skousen has prepared called “Obamanomics and Your Money.”
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Their articles are about getting the flock to part with their money for one get rich scheme or another.
Mike
January 18th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Michelle
I am 18. I baby sit part time to earn money. I have about 9 families that I do this for. Some of the kids are so rude. The other day I was baby sitting some kids and helping them make a poster about insects. They couldn’t think of any more insects to add so I suggested a spider, and got told to “not be a dumb-ass. Spiders aren’t insects they’re arachnids.” The girl who said that is six. What the giz. I didn’t know that when I was six. I just learned it.
My girlfriends didn’t know it either. My big sister told me to start reading your blog to get a serious education. I hope you can help.
I hate feeling dumb.
Donna
January 18th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
It will be so nice if this gets in. Michelle your blog will be open again. Okay my try.
I heard a man said this;
‘Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country,’ ?–Mayor Marion Barry, Washington , DC ?
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Okay guys respond.
January 18th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Zen Lill
Where are you? I hope you are doing well. I guess you too are having trouble posting. We your exercise girls are still out here.
Reba
January 18th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Hi Mischa, good post. Let’s chat offline next week?? I’m off to Nashville Weds-Sun, will be able to read but no time to comment most likely…
Ruth, Reba and everyone else, I never have trouble posting, so sorrry you all do. I;m also sorry just in general bc my pet peeve is when someone says they’re sooo busy (we all are) but that’s my story in the nutshell, I am trying to keep myself working, sorting my personal life out and all that goes with that, in addition to working out : ) and its all been challenging lately, my pain body shows up and I handle it so it goes away, and then it repeats again and I handle it, it’s all fine bc I do know that ‘this too shall pass’ – so my apologies…
That being said, I did say earlier this month that I had some things to say so I’ll say some now :o – this is about the # on your scale, women of MM blog, I want you to focus on the ‘muscle weighs more than fat’ factor, go by the way your clothes fit or just how you feel in general. If you spend time getting in tune with your body and knowing what it feels like when you eat to sustain blood sugar (usually 5-6 small meals daily) as oppossed to the 3 square ones theory (during which you may experience hunger pangs if you don’t snack, thus making bad food choices) and also – how does your bod feel after a workout as oppossed to taking one or more days off, I know how I feel and it gets more distinct all the time…I’ve also noticed that I’ve gained 8 pounds and I fit in my clothes the same exact way, but better, a nice side bene of that muscle weighing more than fat, so the point is DO NOT get hooked on your ‘number’ – although – and this will sound counter to that statement, do weigh yourself every other day, whatever the number is, if it’s getting higher than your 5 pound range, then you start to self-regulate what you eat for the next day or two, while adding 15 more minutes to cardio and it sorts out and keeps you in ‘maintenance’ mode rather than losing/gaining (better known as yo-yoing) mode. A funny thing is…some gym people have asked me exactly how much I weigh lately, they guessed me at a much lower #, that kind of thing used to flatter me, now I say ‘muscle weighs more than fat’ with a smile on my face and tell them my real #.
Lately, I have heard much about midruff gain from menopausal women, I speak to lots of women (and do lots of research/reading) while out and about, at the gym, at my yoga classes, selling clothing, etc…and I’m telling you that you can mitigate some of it by eating right, that means – no processed sugar (so sorry to you addicts!), no booze (I know, I know…), tough to do both ALL of the time, but maybe if you’re willing to do that ZL program of power walking and the exercises and add this food/imbibing factor in, you’ll feel better and you lessen the symptoms (hot flashes, etc) and avoid mid section weight gain, it’s your choice. and no sneaking it in either : ) and yes munching cookies while you googy this or that counts tee hee…
I’ll get back to you re: red vino, it has its pros and cons and it seems to me to be a very inddividual body issue, so hard to make comment on right now, still searching for the answer on this…the reversatol is perfect for you, the booze does often bring on hot flashes though and booze in general is a buzz kill to your metabolism, infortunate but true. I refrain myself but I just do not drink much and don’t miss it much either, much being the operative word, I have fun now, one drinkipoo and I am a cheap date : ) laughing and hugging, sigh…
Back to the subject at hand – Here’s two habits to get into that will cover you and won’t make you feel like its ‘all or nothing’ or even dieting (it’s not, it’s changing your entire lifestyle) – please – have a stash of food when your not home – example, in my car I carry 3 bags of nuts: walnuts, almonds and pistachios (sort them into small snack bags if your prone to overeating bc nuts are excellent for you but are high in fat) – I also carry an apple and 2 oranges or the other way around, good fiber/vite c etc…and will stop you from chowing on garbage foods should you be out and about too long, and I carry some snack bars, I rarely eat them but just in case, they’re there for a few bites to keep me from making an unhealthy food choice or if I need something decent to give my girl when I pick her up from school.
The other habit: keep the kitchen stocked with easy nutritous stuff to make quickly! Fresh veggies/fruit/herbs and protein fish/chicken are good but I can’t stress the non-animal portein quinoa enough, it’s an excellent grain that is a whole protein, you can make it like oatmeal in am (add some raisins/agave or honey) and 4 ozs added to a salad works also for lunch, I add it to pesto sauce, etc…
I’ll add some exercises tomorrow before I take off, again sorry for slacking, life required it but I’ll be more diligent about showing up here : ) although I have to beg off the rest of the week – it’s trade show time!
Hope you are all well and still firm with your shoulders back and ta’s up : ) Luv, Zen Lill
January 19th, 2010 at 12:15 am
Thanks Zen Lill. I’m a recent follower, but a faithful one. I am delighted to hear your new comments.
I will follow your advice. My cousins swear by it and they have the bodies to prove it. I hope to achieve the same results.
Vicky
January 19th, 2010 at 12:18 am
Q: I will be retiring in a few years and would like to go back to school for a master’s degree. Can I set up a 529 college savings plan for myself, or are these just for kids and grandkids?
A: You can set one up for yourself, provided that you select a 529 plan that does not have an age limit, and most do not. When setting up the account, simply name yourself as the beneficiary.
You can use the money to pay for a qualified institution’s full-time or part-time program. Tuition, fees, required books, supplies and equipment constitute qualified expenses. Room and board qualifies only if you attend school at least half-time.
Note that I’ve said most 529 plans do not have age limits. They are, however, set up by the individual states and come with varying restrictions.
To determine the rules for any 529 plan, visit Savingforcollege.com (www.savingforcollege.com). Click on “529 Plans” and then go down to “529 Plan Details” to find any state’s qualified plans. (You are not restricted to using only plans in your state.)
If you don’t have Internet access, contact the office of the state treasurer or comptroller for the state in which you are interested.
January 19th, 2010 at 12:29 am
Expect some serious actions in the Philippines this week. We will be pursuing the Oio galaxy. They are hiding out there.
Major casualties will be avoided at every opportunity. But we are not the aggressors in this accostion. If they remain in the Philippines we have orders to pursue and capture.
Urte
January 19th, 2010 at 12:50 am
No one has mentioned Guam’s new addition at the airport. It is fabulous.
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Guam -”Sagan Bisita”, a new airline passenger lounge operated by Delta Air Lines and LSG Lufthansa Service Guam, Inc. will be open for operations in January 2010 at the A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam Main Terminal.
The new lounge will feature world-class accommodations, and offer wireless internet access, flat screen televisions, a self-serve food buffet with a wide variety of beverages and coffee. Washrooms and full shower facilities will also be available.
The Sagan Bisita lounge will take up 6,355 square feet and will be outfitted in well-appointed furnishings and décor to accommodate 168 passengers, with onsite conference and meeting room facilities for more passenger convenience.
“Delta Air Lines and LSG Lufthansa Service Guam, Inc.’s $1M dollar investment represents the investors’ belief in Guam as a preferred travel destination for Delta and SkyTeam partners and passengers,” stated Chairman Martin J. Gerber. “We are very pleased with this development in customer services – more passengers will be able to avail themselves of comfortable lounge facilities as they wait to board their flights.”
The Sagan Bisita lounge will be located on the West Concourse of the Guam Airport, across from Gates 7 and 8 and will be the newest lounge option for passengers at the Guam International Airport. Delta is part of the SkyTeam network of eight airlines which also includes Korean Air.
The anticipated revenue to GIAA throughout Delta and LSG Lufthansa Guam, Inc. 7-year term of operations is $1.9M cumulatively.
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Hafa Adai
Maga