HAPPY 2025!    

After bringing in the New Year, I went to bed around 1:30 a.m. with love and gratitude on my heart.

I awoke at 7 a.m., showered, completed my devotions (with a special New Year's Meditation) and began to cook breakfast. While waiting on the coffee maker to complete its cycle, I turned on the TV in the Den and that's when I saw the tragic activities that happened just overnight in New York and New Orleans.

I won't go into the details; I don't have to -- the media is taking care of that by saturating psyches of the masses with their "Breaking News" broadcasts.

Unfortunately, while the symbolic Ball of Light still shone, reflecting the happiness and hopes of millions, other souls around the world continued to show their frightened faces through heinous acts of terror. Terror, but not control. 

I saw the chaos and prayed for the many victims involved. I made note of the different ways the people of New Orleans were accepting help (money, clothes, etc.), and made my plans to do what I could for them.

Then I turned the TV to the heartwarming channel, MeTV (Memorable Television), not to ignore or downplay the horrific happenings of this morning's events, but as a choice to stay within my own nature, within my own light. 

Of course, it didn't change what happened. And it didn't stop the heartache I felt for the victims and their families, not by a long shot. But it did help me keep my perspective. It helped me to hold tight to my compassion to keep in mind that each and every person involved was a victim of some kind. It kept me on the path of gratitude and away from the road towards bitterness, anger and resentment.

So, while my heart grieved for the souls involved in this morning's tragedies, it also allowed me to laugh at The Beaver, Wally, Tom & Jerry, etc. -- my heart's way of projecting merriment into the world. 

There will always be hurt, pain, suffering and sadness. Some of which we can control, and some that we cannot. But the extent that we hold on to that pain and suffering is definitely within our control. It is completely up to us as to how we handle life.

So, on this New Year's Day:

• Be thankful for seeing the year come in along with whatever else it brings
• Be grateful, not only for the pleasant things, but for all things. If you witness it, some aspect about it is for you 
• Do what you can to help those within your grasp who need help
• Add your peace and increase World Peace by presenting the world with the gift of your light 
• Sincerely pray for the disturbed souls who live and act out of fear

And it doesn't really matter whether or not you choose to call these objectives your resolutions. Just focus less on the labels and endeavor to live life divinely inspired.

Choose to make 2025 the greatest year of your life; and it will be,

No matter what, have a 

HAPPY 2025!

Embrace Diversity One Word at a Time

Is there someone in your school, neighborhood, or place of business who speaks a different language than you? If so, do you know how to say "hello" in their language? If you do, that's great! The next time you see them, greet them in their own language.

But if you don't know the word "hello" in another person's language, ask them to tell you. Or how about finding out yourself and surprising them with your knowledge of their language. Then

Share your knowledge.

Teach your new word to someone else. Help them learn to speak another language and communicate with someone of another nationality. And don't stop there. "Hello" is just the beginning. It's just one expression but you can easily learn more. Branch out one word at a time and you'll soon be on your way to connecting with and understanding other great cultures of our world.

In how many languages can you say "hello"?
Share your comments below.

25 Rules of Considerate Conduct

In "Choosing Civility", the popular book by Dr. P.M. Forni*, he included the 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct, listed below for your convenient review.
 
But don't just read it. Analyze each one...evaluate it, then share it. Can you think of something you'd like to add to the list? 

There are several ways you can use this list: as a personal checkup, as a school room reminder, as lessons for the little ones, or as a means to get other people involved in civil behavior. 

My personal favorite: Post the list on the refrigerator and pick one each day -- or even better, get the kids to pick one -- and use it as a topic of discussion during dinnertime. 

Whatever your particular preference, be sure to have fun with it -- fun with a civil purpose.

THE TWENTY-FIVE RULES OF CONSIDERATE CONDUCT 

1. Pay Attention
2. Acknowledge Others
3. Think the Best
4. Listen
5. Be Inclusive
6. Speak Kindly
7. Don't Speak Ill
8. Accept and Give Praise
9. Respect Even a Subtle "No"
10. Respect Others' Opinions
11. Mind Your Body
12. Be Agreeable
13. Keep It Down (and Rediscover Silence)
14. Respect Other People's Time
15. Respect Other People's Space
16. Apologize Earnestly
17. Assert Yourself
18. Avoid Personal Questions
19. Care for Your Guests
20. Be a Considerate Guest
21. Think Twice Before Asking for Favors
22. Refrain from Idle Complaints
23. Accept and Give Constructive Criticism
24. Respect the Environment and Be Gentle to Animals
25. Don't Shift Responsibility and Blame 

*Dr. Forni is co-founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project.
How do you plan to use this list? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Civility Thought of the Day ~~ It's Rude to Exclude

Excluding others is inconsiderate and causes hurt feelings. Sounds like a no-brainer, right?
Then why do so many of us find ourselves whispering and carrying on private conversations to someone while in the presence of others when we know it's rude?

Now I'm not talking about the low volume that you speak in public to prevent your voice from being too loud. I'm talking about the low mummers spoken directly into someone's ear, usually while hiding your mouth so your lips can't be read.



It's Rude to Exclude

If you only think of teenagers doing this as they hang out with their friends, think again. Sadly, many adults are guilty of this as well, and because of it, and the fact that so many others indulge in this kind of behavior, it is often viewed as acceptable. But it's not.

Rude behavior is NEVER acceptable.

What if you're the person being left out? What would you think or feel?
You'd probably feel like the topic of the hushed conversation -- whether you were or not, right?

So don't dismiss another person by giving all your attention to someone else who is right there with you. If someone wants to talk, giggle or whisper to you with another person present,

Choose Respect Over Disrespect

 

Politely tell them that you choose not to be rude.

Hopefully, they'll take your lead and become more considerate, themselves.


Have you found yourself in this situation? If so, were you the whisperer? The person being whispered to? Or the one excluded completely? What did you do? Did your actions make you feel proud or ashamed?

~~Please share your thoughts in the comments section below~~

The Meaning of Civility

         The Meaning of Civility

C      is for the CONFIDENCE I gain when I behave in respectful ways

And the way I’ll strive to be from now ‘til the end of my days

I         is for the IMAGE I work hard to polish and protect

To shine and sparkle whenever I treat others with respect

V      stands for core VALUES that serve as my relief

When I struggle over choices; they help me stick to my belief

I         is for INCLUSIVE – A broad respect for all mankind

That reminds us in life’s travels, to leave no one behind

L       is for LOVE of Environment that we show when we take care

                     Of our land, our Nation, each other; of our animals, our oceans and air

I        The last “I” is for IMMEDIATELY – which is when I plan to act

                     To help make this world much better and keep civility in tact

T       Urges us all to TURN our bad behaviors into good

And attempt to live responsibly; the way we know we should

Y       For this, I’ll just ask you: “Y-Not” take this time and pledge with me

To be a shining example, and a model of CIVILITY

For more on Civility Awareness Month,  Go here

Self-Applause

Have you been robbing others of your Greatness and your BLISS because you think it's wrong to show what you're made of? If so, then STOP.

Maybe you've been taught that it's wrong to toot your own horn. But why were horns created in the first place? To alert those who are unaware...to let people around you know:

 

"Hey, I'm here and I've got something important to share, show or tell you about!"

Get rid of your fears and the old-fashioned notion that it's wrong to announce yourself and the talent you have to offer. Get comfortable with your Greatness. Live through your BLISS and learn to keep it going.

To conquer any anxieties that creep inside and prevent you from sharing yourself, print out the following verse. Post it nearby to remind yourself often to toot your horn, and toot it loudly!

Self-Applause

 

Applaud yourself, yes you're allowed

To praise your own gifts, to feel proud

You'd do it for others without any delay

So why not for you; why not start today

 

But be careful; Self-applause is a balancing act

You must raise your own spirit and keep others’ intact

For there’s always the threat of cold conceit

So don’t make others feel bad to make yourself feel complete

 Vow to honor yourself truly and you’ll be amazed

At the love you acquire when you give yourself praise

You’ll create a spark and your light will outshine

Any reservations that threaten to enter your mind

And the bond you create with others throughout

Will attest to the value of life without doubt.

                                                                                  

                                                                                                     ~Tammy Thomas Hopson

                       Excerpts from "Creating BLISS ~ Better Living In Seven Steps".

                                                                    

History, Civility & Signs of Hope

With 62 days left in our countdown to May and Civility Awareness Month, we're also nearing the end of Black History Month.

Take a moment to think about this month and the chronicles of the great leaders from our past; then ask yourself...

Did I learn anything from them?

Remember their stories of challenges and afflictions; then ask yourself...

Am I looking into their triumphant hearts, or am I seeing only their afflictions and pain?

And as you recount their stories of survival, ask yourself...

Do I also hear their message for us to live a better life together
and to thrive?

History shows us that a better world was desired for future generations of all races and all stations in life. Those before us knew that the world could be better by connecting and understanding each other.

I choose to focus on this direction that leads to the world they wanted, and I relish in the possibilities.

Unfortunately, I know we still have a long way to go. For example, look at what happened to young Zendaya Coleman on Oscar Night.
Click here for Zendaya on Oscar night


Now see here how she handled it:

Zendaya's BLISSFUL response

My granddaughter sent this link to me because she knows how much I admire Zendaya (and I still believe she was the real winner of Season 16's Dancing With the Stars...ok, I'm over it...well, almost).

Yes, I've always admired her and you can see why. She knows herself and what it takes to remain poised and confident in the face of blatant disrespect. I admire the amount of class that's packed into such a young lady and the way she uses her fame as a platform for positive behavior. She is someone for young kids to model; greatly respected by her peers and adults. She is a symbol of hope for the future.

So here, at the close of Black History Month, think about the past four weeks of discussions of triumph and understanding.

Think about Zendaya's story and how we're still treating each other with disrespect and widespread criticism.

Think of all this and then ask yourself one last thing...

What am I doing to build upon the foundations created for us?

And then make sure it's something positive!  
  
~What did you learn during Black History Month? Please share in the comments below.