A friend of mine takes in rescued dogs and recently took in one that ended up having a myriad of problems, but is finally on a path to recovery. My friend is asking for help affording the care for this wonderful dog, Hayley, who has kept an unflaggingly upbeat attitude through everything.

Please help if you can:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/pet/635778205.html

thanks,

Phil

I recently became aware of  "Taxi to the Dark Side", a film that looks at the U.S. use of torture, while the Bush Administration has been stating all along that torture is not being done. The film title refers to an innocent Afghani taxi driver who was taken into custody by the U.S. and was dead within five days.

What it epitomizes for me is how U.S. foreign policy has been going so very wrong for much too long now.

I first heard about this movie a couple weeks ago from the free, daily paper I read on my way to work each morning. When reading about the movie I had to put the paper aside when I got to this sentence that refered to the taxi driver: 'His death certificate was quietly classified as a homicide, a verdict supported by the fact that his legs had been "pulpified."'

After horrors invoked on U.S. suspects in Afghanistan, invading Iraq on false pretenses, making mistake after mistake in the administration of Iraq, the conditions that were seemingly encouraged at the Abu Ghraib prison, that detainees are being held for years at Guantanamo with no legal recourse, unfettered U.S. mercenaries firing indiscriminately as part of 'security' details in Iraq, and more, is it any wonder that so much of the planet views the U.S. as arrogant, obtusely inept, morally bankrupt, and reprobate?

I've studiously avoided using the word 'we' to refer to the U.S. here despite my being a U.S. citizen, because when I think of all the wrongdoing that has been perpetuated under the guise of the 'U.S.' in Afghanistan and Iraq, I feel no connection to that wrongdoing at all.

At the same time, we members of a participatory democracy bear some responsibility. What I really wonder is how 'we' U.S. citizens could have let things get this bad.

The movie is on my 'to see' list yet I can't bring myself to see it yet.

Maybe a few more letters to legislators, letters to the editor, etc., and I'll be able to watch it.

To see the trailer and learn more about the movie see:
http://www.taxitothedarkside.com/

This is a good description of the movie:
http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/cl-et-darkside18jan18,0,6041895.story?coll=cl-movies-features

My plans for the new year are to breathe; laugh; love with every fiber of my being; surround myself with supportive, encouraging, kindred spirits; breathe; continue letting all that is not me fall away; come from love and compassion, with a caring spirit; laugh; rejoice in all the wonderful aspects of my life; learn what I can from every experience; follow all urgings toward my true path; breathe; laugh; breathe; laugh; (repeat as necessary). :-)

This is not an 'or' question. Compassionate is fair, and is probably the ultimate fairness.

If I am in a situation and have a difficult decision to make, I always find my most compassionate approach is one that best meets my needs while best meeting the needs of the situation.

Compassion is what helps me balance those two perfectly and fairness reigns.

The easiest way to be happy is to decide to be happy. I'm not saying we can and/or should always be happy. Sad, hurtful, disappointing, etc.,  things happen and happiness is not appropriate at those times.

I'm talking about a general outlook on life, and that's where the decision comes in. Gratitude; faith that we are on the exact path we need to be on; and a willingness to seek out and find the lessons, even in the darkest times, then annoint them with lightness and laughter; are all part of that decision.

To be binding, that decision must be made and committed to every moment. Pretty soon it becomes easier, then it becomes a way of life and smiles abound.

Easy. :-)

The first places I go online are those through which I connect to the people and energy I want most in my life: email providers, inspirational pages, and yes, zaadz.

Breathing.

I wouldn't 'uninvent' anything. Everything that exists does so for a reason. How could I presume to know why? What necessary lessons, catalysts, examples, etc. would be lost if something were 'uninvented'? I trust the Divine.

My best effort is to stay aware of my own reactions to events (especially those I don't like--they are some of the best teachers) and see what guidance they hold.

Opening up. Opening up to connection, to the Divine, to joy, to the glories of the universe, to life, to everything. Opening up to the questions. :-)

I would dedicate myself to being the best person I can be, everyday. I don't believe there is any higher calling than coming from love and honoring all of creation.