The Topic is Sex

War and sex. Love and anger.
The conquering troops and sexual domination of the conquered.
Fear and Sadness,
Adrenalin and the Rush of Gunfire.
The stories of those who have gone to war frequently include an encounter with love and loss.
When has your story taken you onto the battlefield of love? What was gained, and what was lost? How have you been changed?

Happy Sandwich Moment

Think of your favorite sandwich. Now use that sandwich as an anchor that guides you through your memories. Think of a time you were very happy, and you were eating a sandwich. Go back to that moment. Think about it. What kind of sandwich was it? Who prepared it? Where were you? Who was with you? What kind of day was it? Write about your happy sandwich moment. And enjoy.

The Doorbell

Surprise! The Doorbell just rang, and you have an overnight package delivery. It is something you have been waiting for a long time. What is it? Describe it, and what it means to you.

September 11

I was already crying when I woke up at 6 am on September 11, 2001, for
I woke up knowing that it would be the last day that I would be in the condo where my mother and step dad had spent the last ten years of their lives. I had spent the night alone in the upstairs bedroom, over the room where mom had given her last shout out to lung cancer a few years before. My step dad had been moved up north to live out his days with his real daughter. It was my job to clean out the house and get it ready for sale.
So, I woke up and turned on the TV, expecting to see Katie Couric's smile.
Instead I saw, with sleepy, tear filled eyes, a plane fly into the World Trade Center Tower.
With one gasp I knew that the world had changed, and never felt more alone than at that moment.
Please just take a moment to pray for a better tomorrow.

In memory of Susan Butcher

Alaska: Where men are men and women win the Iditarod.

How many women do you know that have had a T-Shirt printed in their honor? Susan Butcher did.

(Picture from San Diego Union Tribune, Monday, August 7, 2006)

Susan Butcher's name will forever be linked to Alaska and the Iditarod. She won the 1,150 mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome four times, starting in 1986. She won the race in 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1990. In all, she ran 17 races, and was the first woman to finish in the top 10.

In order to train for this physically unbelievable challenge, this 5 foot 6 inch, 135 pound winner swam, skied, lifted weight, skied, ran and mushed her team of dogs every day of the year. She lived with her magnificent dogs, and raised them from birth. "When one is born, I immediately breathe into his nose, so that he knows I am part of his pack," she said.

Susan Butcher passed away at the age of 51 on August 5, 2006.
Despite conquering the blizzards of Alaska, she was unable to have her way with leukemia.
Butcher leaves behind a husband, two children, and many adoring fans. She was one of my true heroes. Because of her I strapped on snow shoes and trekked through the Colorado Rockies.
After three hours, I was exhausted, and was able to make it back to my SUV in one piece.
Well, at least she gave me the courage to try.

Susan made her own way through the blizzard. What was a time that you were able to get yourself through a challenge? (If sled dogs were involved, all the better).

Jo'el's Guide to Getting a Life

Each day, Get out of Bed Smiling
Take a deep breath
Center Yourself: You are here, You are YOU!
Approve of Yourself
Like Yourself
Look Inward:
What do you care about?
What do you worry about?
What do you enjoy?
Think about your answers, write them down, and then,
Look Outward:
Do something, anything, go somewhere, anywhere
Go alone, unannounced, say hello
Do research on the internet, read every paper you can get your hands on, listen to local television and radio stations for causes and events you care about, then GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!
Once you get out of the house, TALK TO PEOPLE! Care about other people's feelings, care about their story.
Join, help, offer and volunteer whenever you can.

Reflection:
Remember those who are gone
Honor the lessons you've learned from them
Gather strength from those lessons
Laugh about, write about, the joys you have shared
Feel free to talk to those loved ones who have moved on, let them know you are thinking of them, ask them for guidance, and move forward with your life and give to others.

Take a deep breath
Breathe out
Smile and now go out to enjoy the world..............................

Angel Hunting

I am reading the job listings in the local paper. Every company wants a motivated and responsible employee. Every ad is a laundry list of the perfect employee. These are like singles ads. "This is what you must be." Write a job posting for your guardian angel. What should he/she be responsible for, look for, pay attention to? What should your guardian angel be like? Is there much travel involved? Explain.