What is dignity?

Is it being able to look yourself in the mirror? To know that you are allowing yourself a life worth living?

Is dignity found within your husband, in your wife...children? Can it be found deep inside your heart...do you live it? Feel it? Is it found in one's word? Your name? Family? Job?

Having integrity in all that you do, an infinite grace found within yourself conveyed by actions.

I love this quote by Albert Einsten: "The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to live."

My Dream Job

If I could pick anyplace to work (besides National Geographic--sigh...) I would love to be an employee for the Ford Foundation.

The Ford Foundation is a resource for innovative people and institutions worldwide. Our goals are to:

• 
  Strengthen democratic values,
  


• Reduce poverty and injustice,
  


• Promote international cooperation and
  


• Advance human achievement
  

This has been our purpose for more than half a century.
Created with gifts and bequests by Edsel and Henry Ford, the Foundation is an independent organization, with its own board, and is entirely separate from the Ford Motor Company.
A fundamental challenge facing every society is to create political, economic and social systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment on which life depends. We believe that the best way to meet this challenge is to encourage initiatives by those living and working closest to where problems are located; to promote collaboration among the nonprofit, government and business sectors; and to ensure participation by men and women from diverse communities and at all levels of society. In our experience, such activities help build common understanding, enhance excellence, enable people to improve their lives and reinforce their commitment to society.

I have always wanted to be part of something greater than myself, (maybe why I joined the Army). I believe in the mission of this organization and what it stands for (the promotion of the human spirit). I feel that I have been blessed with a relatively good life and would like to give back a piece of myself in an organization such as this one.

And what is the human spirit? The essence of of life, of life eternal. And organizations such as the Ford Foundation allow human beings to live in dignity, to receive aid, to teach them how to sustain themselves in stricken conditions. Who would not want to be a part of this cycle???

Website:

http://www.fordfound.org/

What is Passion? (II)

Is it the tantalizing of senses? The breath upon skin? The taste, smell and ache of your beloved? An intensity which takes our breath away...challenges us to savour life...grasp it with everything we have...what we are...who we become...

Is passion found only within the raw flesh...discovered solely within the eyes of one's sweetheart? Hearing the beating of their heart...aching to be held? A merging of spirits?

Or can it also be found in the creation of a cause? The stirring of the soul for something far greater than oneself? Crying out at the injustices within our world?

Can passion be found as we age....does it diminish with the onset...as we become travelers through time? Is this lost, is this love gained?

Music which stirs the heart

Three movie soundtracks have really stood out for me:

Platoon

Gladiator

Memoirs of a Geisha

When I was writing my book I listened to Gladiator, certain parts inspired my battle scenes others moved my heart when I had to convey love and romance.

Platoon stirred my soul....

Memoirs of a Geisha music reminded me of a love lost...unrequitted...struggle and pain but at the same time aching beauty...

Vagabond of the World...

I have been quite fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel since I was say around 1 year of age. Never in my life did I think down the road I would have visited so many places and the countries I have seen.

In my heart I have always been in love with broadening my horizens both intellectually and spiritually. I feel that traveling to lands far different than what I am used to (i.e. delving outside my comfort zone)...gives me this kind of awakening I crave.

When I was unable to fly 'cross borders to lands unknown while immersed in college, I brought the world to me. I enjoyed meeting individuals from all walks of life, cultures, religions, creeds. I believe these people touched my life in many many ways. I met students from India, Malaysia, Syria, Argentina, Venezuela, Columbia...the list goes on and on...if I could not see the world, I brought the world to me.

As far back as I could remember even the faintest of memories...oh how I longed to explore my world. I read all the books I could which opened my eyes and my heart to places outside of Posey County, Indiana. I was enthralled by what I read. I wanted to be a part of it all...to meld myself into that of world traveler. If I had the means I would most definitely spend my time visiting non-touristic places all around this gorgeous world of ours. I want to meet regular people like myself...what makes them tick...brings joy, tears, laughter. My heart aches to once again leave the safety of these shores and become a vagabond of the world...

Play the free rice program...

http://freerice.com/index.php

For each word you get right, Free Rice donates 10 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program.

You can expand your vocabulary AND feed the hungry. (Warning: can become addictive)

Pictures of Libya

I am in love with the Middle East and the richness of culture there....I look at these photos and become lost in a daydream.............

Website:

http://www.ericlafforgue.com/libya.htm