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Learning To Surf

"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn


This dynamic photo of Carissa Moore (thanks, National Geographic) brightened my day ^_^  Outside my window, it's a gloomy 15*F with snow forecasted all week.  I already have cabin fever!  Yay, I guess that just means more blogging lol!


Carissa is one of National Geographic's Adventurers of the Year.  A champion at age 19, she will be the first woman in the modern era to compete in the men’s Triple Crown of Surfing in November.


I hope you all have a warm day full of love and joy!


xoxo,
Mel

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."


“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” 


"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?"
- Martin Luther King Jr.


Too many awesome quotes to choose from today, so here are a few of my favorites ^_^
Here is an excellent video to inspire you!  What would MLK do if he were you?

I just love this!  You can view it larger and buy the poster here.

I have a 3-day weekend coming up, so I am going to make my own manifesto on a sheet of poster board. It's something I've needed and wanted to do for a while. And now I have all of you to hold me accountable to actually finish it lol. If you would like to make one of your own, here are some more ideas and inspiration.
Go live your life!

 xoxo,
Mel

HUGS!

Just a quick message today ^_^

 I had to take my 3 year old son to the ER tonight, I was scared he had appendicitis, but the tests came back negative, just a bad tummy ache. It made me appreciate how strong and brave my little guy was, how supportive my husband and other son are, and how precious life is! So your homework is to hug somebody you love! Or at least call or write them a note! Have a beautiful evening <3

xoxo,
 Mel

My Hero: Pancho Ramos

"If you want to be a rebel, be kind." - Pancho Ramos

I'd like to introduce you to one of my heroes, Pancho Ramos‎. If you have more time, you can read a detailed biography of his recent years here. In November 2011, Pancho was arrested for meditating at the Occupy Oakland protests. He said, "If police are stepping up their violence, we need to go and step up our nonviolence.” Throughout the protests and even after he and his friends were in handcuffs, he showed compassion and loving kindness to everyone there, especially the police officers. He has had a long history of non-violence, generously giving all he has and encouraging others to share their love. After being arrested in Oakland, he was held under deportation orders. Years before, he had entered the US from Mexico on a student visa at the University of California at Berkeley to pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics. When he learned that the department's research would assist in nuclear weapons development, he refused to continue with their program. His visa was nullified and he became undocumented. 20,000 people signed a petition on change.org to have him freed, while many others meditated in front of his court arraignment. Because of the amazing love and compassion Pancho had inspired in people, he was freed without bail after 4 days, unprecedented in immigration issues.

 Let's start a rebellion! Let's fervently spread loving kindness to everyone we meet! Pancho taught, “The most effective weapon against a system based on greed and violence is kindness.” Let's stop fighting back and resisting and start really changing the world one smile at a time!

 xoxo,
 Mel

LOVE by Jimi Hendrix