Blaze promotes grace...

Because one of my dearest friends can see smoke plumes from her window at home, as it draws closer, she is packed and "at the ready" to pick up stakes and move to safe territory. So far in her Orange County community the wonderful fire fighters have been able to keep the fire at bay and relatively contained so she doesn't feel that there is any imminent threat, but remains prepared and is dialed in to any updated information to act at a moments notice.

Also, my sister-in-law is in the San Diego area contending with my in-laws dwelling since they passed away this summer. She has advised that it almost appears to be a war zone with the influx of the National Guard, Police, Firefighters and the overall feel of masses of people gathering at the Qualcomm Stadium that is only a couple miles down the road from their residence.

One last thought, I watch the news and it is under these stressful circumstances that you find yourself renewed and restored by humanities coming together, helping one another, and grace after losing everything. What is essentially their security and sanctuary, (their home, photos, and pets) people manage to still see the good in spite of their losses. I guess this is where the saying, "Grace under fire," would apply!

In my E-mail Inbox...Worthy to Remember

We cannot, we must not, ever forget what happened in Europe over 60 years ago, because it could happen again. Anyone, any group, could be the target.

It has been said that those who refuse to study history are doomed to repeat it. In this case, those who are attempting to rewrite history are probably planning to repeat it!

The hatred is already there, in place, taught to the children from infancy, with promises of glory and honor to those who carry out the plans. Forewarned is forearmed, and I'm doing my small part by forwarding this message. I hope you'll do the same.

It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated .

Now, more than ever, with Iran , among others, claiming the Holocaust to be "a myth," it is imperative to make sure the world never forgetsThis e-mail is intended to reach 40 million people worldwide!

Join us and be a link in the memorial chain and help us distribute it around the world.

A good turn daily helping the world every day...

(I receive a thought for the day in my E-mail inbox...I think this is a worthwhile premise to implement if we don't already do the suggestions it mentions.)

Each of us is more than capable of helping the world, despite our fears and limitations and the uncertainty that holds us back. It is commonly accepted that it is impossible to make a difference without unlimited funding or free time, yet most healing, cleansing, and spreading of joy is accomplished in a matter of minutes. If we vow to make the world a better place one day at a time, the true significance of small good deeds reveals itself to us. We come to see that we can be of service without dedicating our lives to recognized charities or giving up the pleasures we enjoy. The warmth we feel when we help the world is only a tiny part of the affirmative transformations that take place when we make altruism a part of everyday existence.

We make our homes, workplaces, communities, and countries better and brighter when we think positive thoughts that echo outward, give donations of time or money, smile at everyone we meet, and lend those in need of aid our assistance. As we learn, we inadvertently improve the universe because we can only be truly involved when we are informed. Even enthusiastically sharing ideas with others generates positive energy that then serves as the motivation for more tangible change. Selfless and helpful deeds remind us that we exercise some degree of control over a world that can seem chaotic at times. Even the smallest of such deeds is a demonstration of the fact that we are capable of changing the world in a positive way. So much negative energy is generated by the suffering, pain, and close-mindedness we are regularly exposed to, but we can counteract it in a constructive way by thinking and acting altruistically when opportunities to do so arise.

Helping the world often takes no more than a moment, just a wish for the world is a beautiful gesture and can be done by even the busiest of people effortlessly. The gift you give each day need not be grand or attention-worthy because the broader benefits are the same no matter the literal repercussions. Once a day, you can affect reality, and you can reap the rewards of knowing that you are making the world a better place, day by day.