I HAVE BEEN ABSENT FROM THIS SITE FOR A LONG TIME.  I APOLOGIZE TO THOSE OF YOU WHO LEFT COMMENTS FOR ME WITHOUT REPLY.  I SPENT THE LAST FEW MONTHS WITH MY BEST FRIEND, MENTOR, SOUL MATE, AND LOVE OF MY LIFE.  HE LEFT THIS WORLD FOR A GREATER PURPOSE ON AUGUST 13.  I STRUGGLE TO FIND MY WAY IN THIS WORLD WITHOUT HIM.  IT IS MY INTENTION TO START TO PARTICIPATE HERE MORE, BUT I STILL NEED A LITTLE TIME.  THANK YOU ALL FOR UNDERSTANDING                                                                          

The various religions are like different roads converging on the same point. What difference does it make if we follow different routes, provided we arrive at the same destination  -- Mahatma Gandhi
 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIFE by the Dalai Lama

1.  Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2.  When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3.  Follow the three R’s:

Respect for self
Respect for others and
Responsibility for all your actions.

4.  Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5.  Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6.  Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7.  When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8.  Spend some time alone every day.
9.  Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon

"If you can't get behind our troops, feel free to get in FRONT of them" Larry the Cable Guy



I may not like the decisions of our government all the time, but I am PROUD to be an American and I ABSOLUTELY support those that give up their freedom (our troops) for ours.