I heard this week about a friend, who lives in Maryland, with whom I had lost touch over the last couple of years, since my move to Florida. What I heard was both heartbreaking and yet somehow, hopeful as well. Her story started with a severe lower back injury on the job (I think in 2002 or 2003) which was, of course, denied as an on-the-job injury by the workman's compensation insurance company...and the battle began. While she was fighting for her worker's rights every step of the way and, unable to work because of the injury and severe pain, she suffered a stroke; furthering her medical woes and financial difficulties. It has come to my attention that she has now possibly had another stroke and, in the meantime, has been diagnosed with MS. It is my understanding that her existence has been reduced to living in cramped conditions in a nursing home...for the past sixteen months!
Her husband is a wonderful soul, but is simply not qualified, under the circumstances, to care for her in a home environment. I understand he goes to see her everyday when he is able. I know this woman is a survivor. The fact of her living for so long in a nursing facility and dealing with the indignities that must go along with that scenario speak loudly of her resolve. I applaud her tenacity. Hearing about this happening to people you know is shocking and heartbreaking. The mutual friend who informed me of this woman's situation pledged to visit her as much as possible. I hope she is able to honor that commitment. If I still lived in Maryland, I would go to see her as much as possible. She deserves a caring circle of family and friends.
The hope I spoke of is, that in spite of all the medical worries, my friend still has her sense of humor...I'm not surprised. She is one of the smartest people I have ever had the pleasure and honor of knowing who always had a good comeback laced with intelligent wit and uproarious innuendo. I learned much from her as a co-worker, and more importantly, as her friend. This one's for you my friend...remember the Karla Bonoff concert we saw...now that was fun...I will never forget it...and, I will never forget you!
Please send prayer requests through the blog in order to maintain my friend's privacy. Thank you for caring.
In love & light,
Glenna
Friday, January 18, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Happy Birthday to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Happy Birthday to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!
When I started this web site and blog I can't say Dr. King was my inspiration but, as today is his birthday, and I reflect upon the impact he had on the world and the civil rights movement, I can definitely say that I think his life's mission was centered in promoting equality for all through Love, Civility and Peace.
This is not to state that I am in the same league as he; however, if I am able to touch at least one life through this venue by encouraging them to think about the choices they make and how those choices affect their life and their world, then I have accomplished much.
I just did an online search for "MLK" and was able to read and learn more about this incredible, inspiring and brave man. I encourage you to honor him by learning more about his life and the legacy he left by searching the Internet as I did. Words do not adequately express how important Dr. King's work was, and still is, to the world. The ripple effect of his life's journey will continue for all time. God bless you sir...you were a true Super Star!
In love and light,
Glenna :-)
When I started this web site and blog I can't say Dr. King was my inspiration but, as today is his birthday, and I reflect upon the impact he had on the world and the civil rights movement, I can definitely say that I think his life's mission was centered in promoting equality for all through Love, Civility and Peace.
This is not to state that I am in the same league as he; however, if I am able to touch at least one life through this venue by encouraging them to think about the choices they make and how those choices affect their life and their world, then I have accomplished much.
I just did an online search for "MLK" and was able to read and learn more about this incredible, inspiring and brave man. I encourage you to honor him by learning more about his life and the legacy he left by searching the Internet as I did. Words do not adequately express how important Dr. King's work was, and still is, to the world. The ripple effect of his life's journey will continue for all time. God bless you sir...you were a true Super Star!
In love and light,
Glenna :-)
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Civility
Civility, I believe, is one of the most basic elements of a decent society. Without civility, chaos would reign. With civility, being polite and courteous are acts that, when practiced and honed, become habit and automatic responses to everyday situations. We then tend to make choices that are positive...choices that make us feel more satisfied with our lives and who we are...and generally, as a result, those become good choices for the world. Especially for our own sphere of family, friends and acquaintances. All deeds, good and bad, have a ripple effect on the Universe.
Choosing civility also culls lawlessness, defeats discrimination and, calls for equality of human rights for all. It is important to keep in mind that ALL people are created equally. Whether you are the President, a laborer, or a person down-on-their-luck and homeless, you are equally valuable. This is a very important aspect of civility - all people are equal and should be treated with dignity.
Remember, the CHOICES we make impact our world and sphere of living. Make good choices in your daily lives. Civility is a cornerstone of democracy and decency. It really comes down to being a nice person. I believe we all like to think we're nice people...let's practice what we think.
Think - Live - Be a Super Star!
In love & light,
Glenna :-)
http://www.superstarpark.com/ (please come to the super star blog and join the conversation...be part of the solution...just click on the "comments" link at the bottom of any post to add your thoughts...Thanks!)
Choosing civility also culls lawlessness, defeats discrimination and, calls for equality of human rights for all. It is important to keep in mind that ALL people are created equally. Whether you are the President, a laborer, or a person down-on-their-luck and homeless, you are equally valuable. This is a very important aspect of civility - all people are equal and should be treated with dignity.
Remember, the CHOICES we make impact our world and sphere of living. Make good choices in your daily lives. Civility is a cornerstone of democracy and decency. It really comes down to being a nice person. I believe we all like to think we're nice people...let's practice what we think.
Think - Live - Be a Super Star!
In love & light,
Glenna :-)
http://www.superstarpark.com/ (please come to the super star blog and join the conversation...be part of the solution...just click on the "comments" link at the bottom of any post to add your thoughts...Thanks!)
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
The Great Divide
I just finished emailing a friend of mine who sent me an inspiring email. I thanked him for sharing such a beautiful slide show. I also asked him to please join the blog conversation because I believe his insight, intelligence and wit would add to the conversation of the blog. I used to work with this gentleman - he happens to be African-American and, I felt he, and his family and friends, could add to the conversation in many areas that I, as a middle-aged white women, am simply not qualified to really know how it is, or was, for my friends of color.
I know from conversations we had while working together that my friend, Elwood, grew-up, as I did, in an era that was ripe with racial discrimination. He once told the story of how when he was around five years-old, and shopping with his grandmother in Washington, DC, he told her that he needed to go to a restroom. He couldn't understand why his grandmother wouldn't stop at all the places they passed so he could use one. She tried to explain to him that they weren't allowed to go into those places because of who they were, but when you're five years-old, you still don't understand...all you know is that you don't want to wet your pants. I guess they finally did find a place for him to stop. I'm glad we've gotten past that kind of discrimination, but that story will always resound with me.
After hearing of his firsthand account, I told him of discrimination I had seen myself, also around age five. As a youngster, my parents had a very nice home in North New Jersey. There was a live-in maid - she was white. On Saturday mornings, my father would bring in a maid from South Orange to do some of the heavier cleaning which our live-in maid wouldn't do. This person was a lovely black woman whom I loved to follow around and, looking back I must have been a real hindrance to her, but she never complained, she just did her work and was always happy...I guess that's why I was drawn to her...her light was a beacon I couldn't resist. While she worked, she always had a glass of water with her that she had gotten, and would refill as needed, from the kitchen tap. When my father took her home at the end of the day, I found out that the glass this woman had used was thrown out because of her color. Even I knew at the age of five that something was wrong with that action. For many years, I thought it was my parents throwing out the glass and, I harbored hidden anger, but when I moved to Florida at the beginning of 2006 and moved into my father's home, I asked him about it and he said neither he nor my mother had ever done that and he surmised that it must have been our live-in maid. I was extraordinarily relieved to know my parents had not discriminated so blatantly against this kind and loving woman. All those years...over forty...I thought my parents had been unkind to such a wonderful lady. Either way, it still saddens me to this day...she truly was a lovely person. This is also not the only discrimination I've ever seen or heard in my life. However, now I speak up when I hear a derogatory or off-color remark. It's the right thing to do.
Discrimination has become less obvious in many areas of the country since the turbulent 1960's, but it is alive and well despite the gains made in the fight for equality. I have found, since my return to Florida, that it seems the color barrier is still an issue, especially in the south. I can only hope that the fight for equality for all people continues...that ignorance will be overcome by enlightenment, that people will find it in their hearts to learn about other people who may not be just like them and, that diversity will overcome hatred. Let's join together to change the world and break down the Great Divide.
Think - Live - Be a Super-Star!
In love & light and, with much appreciation,
Glenna :-)
http://www.superstarpark.com/
I know from conversations we had while working together that my friend, Elwood, grew-up, as I did, in an era that was ripe with racial discrimination. He once told the story of how when he was around five years-old, and shopping with his grandmother in Washington, DC, he told her that he needed to go to a restroom. He couldn't understand why his grandmother wouldn't stop at all the places they passed so he could use one. She tried to explain to him that they weren't allowed to go into those places because of who they were, but when you're five years-old, you still don't understand...all you know is that you don't want to wet your pants. I guess they finally did find a place for him to stop. I'm glad we've gotten past that kind of discrimination, but that story will always resound with me.
After hearing of his firsthand account, I told him of discrimination I had seen myself, also around age five. As a youngster, my parents had a very nice home in North New Jersey. There was a live-in maid - she was white. On Saturday mornings, my father would bring in a maid from South Orange to do some of the heavier cleaning which our live-in maid wouldn't do. This person was a lovely black woman whom I loved to follow around and, looking back I must have been a real hindrance to her, but she never complained, she just did her work and was always happy...I guess that's why I was drawn to her...her light was a beacon I couldn't resist. While she worked, she always had a glass of water with her that she had gotten, and would refill as needed, from the kitchen tap. When my father took her home at the end of the day, I found out that the glass this woman had used was thrown out because of her color. Even I knew at the age of five that something was wrong with that action. For many years, I thought it was my parents throwing out the glass and, I harbored hidden anger, but when I moved to Florida at the beginning of 2006 and moved into my father's home, I asked him about it and he said neither he nor my mother had ever done that and he surmised that it must have been our live-in maid. I was extraordinarily relieved to know my parents had not discriminated so blatantly against this kind and loving woman. All those years...over forty...I thought my parents had been unkind to such a wonderful lady. Either way, it still saddens me to this day...she truly was a lovely person. This is also not the only discrimination I've ever seen or heard in my life. However, now I speak up when I hear a derogatory or off-color remark. It's the right thing to do.
Discrimination has become less obvious in many areas of the country since the turbulent 1960's, but it is alive and well despite the gains made in the fight for equality. I have found, since my return to Florida, that it seems the color barrier is still an issue, especially in the south. I can only hope that the fight for equality for all people continues...that ignorance will be overcome by enlightenment, that people will find it in their hearts to learn about other people who may not be just like them and, that diversity will overcome hatred. Let's join together to change the world and break down the Great Divide.
Think - Live - Be a Super-Star!
In love & light and, with much appreciation,
Glenna :-)
http://www.superstarpark.com/
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Trusting
Hello! I was attending a 50th wedding anniversary party last month and, while speaking with an elderly woman I had just met, I learned that she had lost her wallet while Christmas shopping. She, of course, had immediately contacted all of her credit card companies to report the loss and was worried sick that someone would use her credit cards or steal her identity. You hear about the horrors of those things happening all too often these days. However, her wallet was found and given to the lost and found department of the store. They, in turn, contacted her and the story ended on a happy note. Thank God.
What I found interesting was how quickly we think the worst - we humans seem to be programmed that way. I asked all the people at the table where I was sitting why we now expect dishonesty - instead of trusting someone to find the wallet and turn it in, as was done in this case? Why do we consider ourselves to be trustworthy, but not others? No ready answers were forthcoming from the others. Yet, we all felt that we would be trustworthy - that we would have turned in a wallet we found.
I think that if we started believing in honesty first, we could change the course of nature and use the universal law of attraction to bring more trust back into our lives and back to the world. Should we still report the loss? Absolutely. However, having faith that all will turn out for the best may very well be the energy that will lead an honest and trustworthy individual to find the lost wallet, as happened in this instance.
Do you consider yourself to be honest and trustworthy? Would you have turned-in a found wallet or other valuable? Are you living a Super Star life? I am. Am I perfect? No, I'm not, but I try everyday to do the best I can and that's all anyone can ask. I have discovered that going forward with the Super Star acronym as the basis of my core values, and by promoting love, civility and peace in the process, my life is more fulfilling and I believe yours can be too. So I ask you to please...
Think - Live - Be a Super Star!
In love & light and, with much appreciation,
Glenna :-)
http://www.superstarpark.com/
p.s. go to the super star blog page and click on comments to add your thoughts...thanks!
What I found interesting was how quickly we think the worst - we humans seem to be programmed that way. I asked all the people at the table where I was sitting why we now expect dishonesty - instead of trusting someone to find the wallet and turn it in, as was done in this case? Why do we consider ourselves to be trustworthy, but not others? No ready answers were forthcoming from the others. Yet, we all felt that we would be trustworthy - that we would have turned in a wallet we found.
I think that if we started believing in honesty first, we could change the course of nature and use the universal law of attraction to bring more trust back into our lives and back to the world. Should we still report the loss? Absolutely. However, having faith that all will turn out for the best may very well be the energy that will lead an honest and trustworthy individual to find the lost wallet, as happened in this instance.
Do you consider yourself to be honest and trustworthy? Would you have turned-in a found wallet or other valuable? Are you living a Super Star life? I am. Am I perfect? No, I'm not, but I try everyday to do the best I can and that's all anyone can ask. I have discovered that going forward with the Super Star acronym as the basis of my core values, and by promoting love, civility and peace in the process, my life is more fulfilling and I believe yours can be too. So I ask you to please...
Think - Live - Be a Super Star!
In love & light and, with much appreciation,
Glenna :-)
http://www.superstarpark.com/
p.s. go to the super star blog page and click on comments to add your thoughts...thanks!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Getting Started
Hello! I hope you are enjoying the Super Star blog and that you are finding my postings to be helpful, informative and enlightening. I also hope that the Super Star acronym will give you a basis of positive and thought provoking insight into how your choices affect your world and your life. Every choice, or action, has an affect. Simple physics depicts action and reaction...they go together.
Therefore, I ask you to:
Therefore, I ask you to:
- Choose LOVE - hug someone, tell someone
- Choose CIVILITY - be polite, be nice
- Choose PEACE - calm down, think first, dispel anger
I really would love to hear your thoughts, ideas and comments. At the bottom right of this posting - click on the "comments" icon to post your ideas. If I use your comment(s) in a future posting, I will certainly give you credit for the idea. This blog is intended as a place to have a community of like-minded people creating a world of love, civility and peace TOGETHER.
In love & light and, with much appreciation,
Glenna :-)
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Letting Go - New Year 2008
Happy New Year! The New Year presents a time when resolutions are made and, hopefully, fulfilled. A time for new beginnings. A time to let go of those things that are not serving us...not serving our hopes and dreams. A time to think and reflect on the future and what we hope to accomplish this year, and beyond.
Several years ago I wrote the following poem...I am finally taking the steps to, "Let it Go." As I begin to bring my Super Star vision to the world, I think it is appropriate to share this inspirational poem. I hope these words help you to see past today and lead you to a brighter and more fulfilling future. Together, we are the solution to a better world. Please join me on this incredible journey towards love, civility and peace.
In love and light, with much appreciation,
Glenna :-)
“Need to Let it Go”
Need to let it go, set it free
The world waits, awaits for me
Need to let it go, the stress and worry
Just send it away, release the fury
Need to let it go, faith in my heart
Believe in myself, make a fresh start
Need to let it go, begin the journey
With freedom of spirit, open and yearning
Need to let it go, and let it be
Follow the path of life, which lies before me
Need to let it go, arms open wide
Soar on Angel’s wings, and really fly
Need to let it go, set myself free
The world waits, awaits for me
© Glenna Park
Several years ago I wrote the following poem...I am finally taking the steps to, "Let it Go." As I begin to bring my Super Star vision to the world, I think it is appropriate to share this inspirational poem. I hope these words help you to see past today and lead you to a brighter and more fulfilling future. Together, we are the solution to a better world. Please join me on this incredible journey towards love, civility and peace.
In love and light, with much appreciation,
Glenna :-)
“Need to Let it Go”
Need to let it go, set it free
The world waits, awaits for me
Need to let it go, the stress and worry
Just send it away, release the fury
Need to let it go, faith in my heart
Believe in myself, make a fresh start
Need to let it go, begin the journey
With freedom of spirit, open and yearning
Need to let it go, and let it be
Follow the path of life, which lies before me
Need to let it go, arms open wide
Soar on Angel’s wings, and really fly
Need to let it go, set myself free
The world waits, awaits for me
© Glenna Park
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