Serious Reflection, You Are Unique, and The Jury is Still Out

Good Morning from Prince Edward Island, 

Is the kettle ready, and is there cake in the fridge? Any candles in the cupboard?

For those away, here is the latest COVID19-Update for the Island brought to us by CBC. 

In last week’s blog, I mentioned that I was to going to attempt to share a little something I learned or appreciated each day of the week. 

Reflection

“Serious reflection is needed. Unfortunately, today we live in a world without a common dream. The coronavirus was a wake-up call, a punch in the gut to a prevailing sense of narcissism. We need to look at development in a new way that includes all human beings, that gets us back in touch with a necessary sense of solidarity, rejecting a society that does not take care of the disenfranchised. This system that generates riches for few, leaving many in poverty, is cruel.” ~In error, I forgot to get the author’s name, sorry. 

Socrates said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” 

If You Can...the wisdom of Winston Churchill.

Getting to another birthday this quote by Michael J. Fox reminds me to stop thinking about what could have been or should have been. 

"I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business." - Michael J. Fox

The cellist, composer, and conductor, Pablo Casals states in his book, Joys and Sorrows.

"Each second, we live in a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that never was before and will never be again. And what do we teach our children in school? We teach them that two and two make four and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all of the world, there is no other child exactly like you. In the millions of years that have passed there has never been another child like you... You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is like you, a marvel? You must cherish one another. You must work—we must all work—to make this world worthy of its children." 

Leo Buscaglia shares reflection through his words.

Life is God's (or life‘s if you prefer) gift to us. The way we live it is the gift we give back don’t settle for anything less than the most beautiful gift you’re capable of being. - Leo Buscaglia

And to Accept...

“You are driven by your heart, you’re driven by your talent, and you’re driven by your instinct. And if you start to question and look at what people are doing to the left of you or to the right of you, you are going to lose that clarity of thought. Listen to the information. In the end, it has to come from who you are. Own your decisions and own who you are but without apology.” Anna Wintour

Treat life as a game and a gift.

Emma Smreker does as she hunts for photos and other treasures left in used books — then returns them to their owners. Love this Washington Post story.

Be Inspired...

Go Rahan Go...you inspire me to never stop trying to improve daily.

“There is no education like adversity.” -Benjamin Disraeli

Speaking of inspiration, thank you to Voices Rock Medicine, a choir of women physicians came together to make this heartfelt tribute, We Rise Again, dedicated to the superheroes of Canadian healthcare, singing this great song by Leon Drabinsky, a singer-songwriter from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

Last but not least, when I am 100 years old, I hope to do something spectacular as well…

This week, I have been listening to Taylor Swift’s new album, very nice. Sample listen here. She certainly has come along way since playing on Prince Edward Island during the summer of 2010.

And this is too beautiful not to share. Our Canadian songstress and awesome mother, Alanis Morissette. 

Have a wonderful weekend, stay safe and take care of each other. 

Today is my birthday, a day to reflect and be grateful. I am happy to be on planet earth and give thanks to the family, friends, staff and readers.

With Love from Prince Edward Island, 

Bruce & Millie

ps. 

The insurance agent was having quite an easy time selling Mrs. Cunningham insurance on her husband's life. In fact, he thought it was too easy.

When all the details were finalized, Mrs. Cunningham casually asked, "Now, if my husband should die tomorrow, what would I get?"

"That would depend entirely," the insurance man replied, "on how the evidence is presented to the jury."