A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.

This little gem is from John Barrymore.  I think it's safe to say very few people with the Barrymore last name have had much in the way of regrets and by regrets I mean missed opportunities.  It is simply a part of human nature to question whether a decision was the right one.  I've spent many of the past few weeks envisioning all the alternate life paths I could be on right now if I had chosen differently.  As difficult as it may seem sometimes we are always exactly where we need to be so regretting a past choice is like saying my life's journey is somehow less valuable.  One of the most frustrating ideas I see perpetuated in this youth obsessed society is that there is somehow an expiration date on our dreams.  Often the line that differentiates friends and family that are truly content from those who aren't is whether they have in effect stopped dreaming.  This brings us back to Mr. Barrymore.  What does it mean to have no regrets? It means never regretting not trying for your dreams, and we may keep trying as long as we draw breath.

Let us make a special effort...

to stop communicating with each other so we can have some conversation.
                      -Mark Twain

Apparently Mr. Clemens knew about FB/Twitter.  It does seem odd that we keep inventing more ways to communicate with each other and say nothing.  When you do actually get together with your friends you don't talk about the cup of tea you had earlier.  Well, maybe if it was a particularly good cup of tea.  I, for one miss being around actual people.  How many of your friends do you talk to on a daily basis, live in the same city and never physically see each other?  I for one am going to have some good conversation this week.  It will be nice to truly know my friends' status.

"When someone is impatient...

and says, 'I haven't got all day,' I always wonder, How can that be?  How can you not have all day?"
-George Carlin

If there is one thing that tries my patience it's impatience.  Anyone who's driven in Atlanta traffic can tell you that if there's one thing that causes accidents it's someone that is seemingly in a hurry.  Usually, they're in a hurry to get to the red light 5 seconds before you do.  My mom often chides me for "being slow."  After all , she was in labor with me for 3 days!  I have to correct her, though-I'm not slow I'm just not in a hurry.  Definitely a Parrot Head from birth. (Google it)  Of course, right now I'm very impatient with employment agencies that promised quick placement-last year! OK, last year was only two weeks ago but this was earlier than that.  Impending bankruptcy will do that do a person.  But we have to remember that waiting happens.  The only thing accomplished by getting worked up is being upset AND waiting.  Bad times!  When those impatience-breeding occasions arrive it is important to remember that, as Mr. Carlin said we all have all day.  We'll get there eventually so be patient!

It does not take a majority to prevail...

but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.
                    -Samuel Adams

I don't know why, but somehow this quote seemed a bit relevant right now.  Why is it the couple of bad kids always spoil it for the rest of the class?  Rather it be terrorist cells, tea partiers, so-called militia groups, and yes, even extreme liberals such as the, shall we say overly passionate environmentalists there are always little fringe groups making noise.  They make for better TV and newspaper articles. I get that, and as Mr. Moore so emphatically pointed out in Bowling for Columbine fear is a major driving force of our economy.  So what are the quiet minority to do?  Rant and rave and attack like the "tireless minority?"  Well, yes and no. Yes, because we  have to make a little noise.  The squeaky wheel gets the grease.  That's just the way it is.  What is so important is what kind of noise we're making. 

A couple of weeks ago Stephen Colbert featured a story about two senators from the same state, one Republican one Democrat.  What's so special about them?  They're friends.  What's more they campaigned together for last November's midterm elections.  They demonstrated the need to work together because their state's welfare is more important than personal glory.  They showed that there is a place for healthy debate, no ranting needed.  This, my friends is the kind of noise we need to make.  There are conflicting issues and opinions but when it comes down to it we're all neighbors, friends, citizens.  Don't let the angry drown that out.

I've heard there are troubles of more than one kind.

Some come from ahead, some come from behind. But I've brought a big bat. I'm already you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me! Given the rhyming scheme there is only one person who could have written this quote-Dr. Seuss, of course! The concept of this quote is quite clear but of what is made the bat my troubles fear? Remember, the hard part is finding the bat.

Hatred does not cease through hatred...

Hatred ceases through love. As you might have guessed by the touchy-feely nature of today's quote it is from a religious figure, Buddha. I'm not sure if there is a heaven or hell, but I am sure there are good and evil energies in the universe. It's all about balance. I am also becoming more and  more sure that whichever of these energies we expel into the world is what we receive the most of in return. It's not easy to "love thy enemy." It's so easy to go to that angry, hateful place and goodness knows the media reinforces these sentiments. One of the things that I have valued as I get older is that it seems easier to "love my enemy", to see life from their perspective, and guess what? I have a lot fewer enemies, a lot less hate and a lot more positive energy coming to me. I know this post is a little more hippy-dippy than most of the things I write but the simple fact is that's the way the world works. Be excellent to each other.

Whatever you are, be a good one

These perhaps not so immortal words were spoken by Abraham Lincoln. I keep promising myself and readers(?) to blog often and then I don't. So here's my brilliant idea for 2011-I will select a quote and elaborate upon it. Don't worry, I won't elaborate in public. I thought this was a good quote for the start of a new year because it is that magical time when we can both aspire to be better and not have yet failed at being better. Maybe you want to lose weight. Maybe you want to quit smoking. Maybe you want to find a significant other. Maybe you want to lose weight and quit smoking so you can find a significant other. Here is my new year's resolution for you-be you, whatever it is you bring to the world be that, and be a good one. You weren't given such passions and abilities for nothing.

Why do we give up these passions? One word-money. In this society success is measured in dollar signs and we think if we can't be wildly successful, that is make a lot of money doing this passion we're failures. No point in even trying. I'm here to tell you that your goal should not be a paycheck but writing, acting, teaching dogs to dance, uh -ing well, better than before. Be content in this journey to being a good one and you have succeeded.

Now I am not totally blind to meeting basic needs. Ya gotta eat, ya gotta have shelter, and ya gotta wear clothes. At least when you leave the shelter you do. All these needs are most easily met by accquiring money and you may not be able to earn enough with your passion alone, at least not for the moment. If this weren't the case Starbucks would be criminally understaffed. Take care of your needs, your families both  on two legs and four and take some time to work on your passion. It's the only way you'll get better at it. If you have a real talent for your passion and work to develop it you will begin to see ways to both earn money and follow your bliss. (Yeah, I felt a little nauseous too). Just look at the cast of Jersey Shore. 'Nuff said.