+Yoko Ono has a very ambitious project in the works. You can join in too! I originally heard about this when I got a note from the project on +Instagram.
What could be better than the entire world in #smilesfilm!
We need more #smiles in this world and why not? They are free and unlimited supply....so start sharing smiles with our fellow humans. They will make a difference in the world.
So get ready....set....#smile!!! Pass it on! Free smiles right here!!
We are in the heart of the holiday season and nearing the
end of 2013. It's a perfect time to reflect on our lives, our loves and
our futures as we are considering our Resolutions for 2014.
One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth
of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes
there isn't "anymore". No more hugs, no more special moments to
celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one
minute." Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes
away, never to return before we can say good-bye or say "I love
you."
So while we have our relationships and life, it's best we love, care, fix it
when it's broken and heal it when it's sick.. This is true for marriage.....old
cars...children with bad report cards, dogs with bad hips, and aging parents
and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth
it. Life and death is important...the rest is just details.
Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a nieces and
nephews after divorce. There may be relatives not at the top of your list, but
love them also and if not love, than at least like them for who they are.
They may be having problems or low self esteem so cut them some slack!
There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what and no matter
when. Teaching a child something new, helping people especially the
elderly, volunteering some time and not just at the holiday times.
Practice random acts of kindness. Both you and the persons you help will
feel amazing. Have you considered that just maybe they have no one left in
their life right now? Be a good human!
There really is just one race....the human race! Society needs to get
back to the Golden Rule we used to teach our children....Do Unto Others as We
Would Have them Do Unto Us. Can you imagine how just that one rule in
your life could change this world for the better??
Smile....just because you can! I have learned that giving smiles away,
(they are free and in unlimited supply) may just may make
someone's day who is having problems. Positive attitude matters in
life. If you don't believe that, just try it for a month, or even a few
weeks and see if your life doesn't change change for the better. If you
want more people in your life, be pleasant! No one really wants to hang
around with a person always saying "woe is me"! Snap out of it!
Here is just one more good reason to smile...have you ever noticed how as
people age if they are always unhappy that frown becomes their wrinkly frown
face? To age gracefully remember to smile.
Life is important. Work on your connections with the people in your life.
In our crazy too fast paced world we need to remember the most important
thing you can spend on someone is your time. That time spent is especially is
important with children. In a blink of an eye they are grown and on
their own. There are no do overs in life! Jackie Kennedy had the
correct perspective on this matter, "If you bungle raising your children,
I don't think whatever else you do matters very much."
Sometimes you think you have a "keeper" and you find out you do not.
Now it's your turn to share this with all those people who are
"keepers" in your life if you feel that way. Suppose one morning you
never wake up, do all your friends know you love them? What will be their
last memory of you? Today is the perfect time to let them know. Tomorrow
may be too late.
I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I
had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or
three words needing to be said. Don't be afraid to let people know how you
really feel about them.
Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't
love you back, you will be amazed at what those three little words and a smile
can do. Make peace with your enemies......and just in case I'm gone tomorrow
share this. We need to make this world a better place and as Michael
Jackson sang make the change first with the man in the mirror....yourself.
Remember always that tomorrow is Promised to no one. Appreciate your
life and everyone in it because it could be a lot worse. Be grateful and
appreciate not the trinkets and gadgets in your life but the people in your and
today is the perfect day to do just that and change your life and this world
for the better.
2014 the beginning of a better future for all of us!! I wish you all
Peace, love, prosperity and gratitude!!
I love getting out of the house to explore on the back
roads. I usually remember to take a camera in addition to a smartphone
along. When you are exploring you never know what you will find! Just north of
New York City in Westchester County is a favorite ride. Get off the main
roads of Interstate 287/87 and get on route 9A north and wind through the very
scenic Hudson Valley. It’s especially scenic this time of year with the
trees in their autumnal splendor. Maybe stop at a farm stand or pick some
apples too or go antiquing. All up to you!
Nestled in the heart of the Hudson River Valley near
Tarrytown is a quaint town known as Sleepy Hollow. Until 1996 Sleepy Hollow was
known as North Tarrytown. The whole Hudson Valley Region sits on the banks of
the Hudson River and is ripe with Revolutionary War battles and history. The
area was originally a Dutch settlement. This is the same town where
Washington Irving’s tale “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is set. There
are a number of interesting places to visit in Sleepy Hollow and surrounding
areas such as Kykuit the Rockefeller family estate set on the Hudson River with
it’s vast views of the river.
Sunnyside is the estate of Washington Irving and there are a
number of other estates along the Hudson River. Philipsburg Manor,
which was a successful farming, milling, and trading, center owned by the
Philipses in the center of Sleepy Hollow. If you have not had the
opportunity to explore this are I would recommend you do make time for a visit.
I will not tell you the entire tale here, just a snippet in
case you have not heard or read it. Ichabod Crane was a
teacher who one very dark night was heading to a party at the Van Tassel’s
residence hoping to woo Katrina Van Tassel. Suddenly out of the
shadows came the Headless Horseman, local legend claimed him to be a fallen
Hessian soldier buried in the nearby church cemetery in search of his head. Ichabod
was chased over a bridge trying to get away from the Headless
Horseman. The Horseman hurled his burning jack o’lantern head
at Ichabod and chased Ichabod to the Old Dutch Church.
The bridge is no longer in the center of town however the
Old Dutch Church built in 1685 is. This is the oldest church in all
of New York State. The cemetery surrounding the church is quite
large and holds a great number of famous final resting places for business
legends including Brooke Astor, The Helmsley’s, Andrew Carnegie, Rockefellers,
and even Walter Chrysler founder of Chrysler Auto Company. Tours
are given of the church and cemetery including some at night, or, you can
purchase a map and wander around yourself.
There are a number of seasonal events hosted in Sleepy
Hollow, which reference that legendary tale. This year and every October Sleepy
Hollow hosts a fabulous event The Great Pumpkin Blaze with more than 5000
blazing jack o’lanterns and is being held for 25 nights this year. This
is always a sell out event and tickets are necessary. It is mostly handicap
accessible also.
Another seasonal event held yearly is at Phillipsburg Manor
is Horseman’s Hollow. Ghosts and ghouls abound and will try and
scare you out of your wits…. all in fun of course, and not for the faint of
heart or small children. Or perhaps Irving’s Legend would be an
event you would like. A reading of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
by a master story teller and held in the infamous Old Dutch Church where
Ichabod fled. If you can not get there this time of year, how about a summer
event like Pirates of the Hudson in early July, or Scrooge telling his story in
the Old Dutch Church just after Thanksgiving and throughout December? Family
fun for sure!
This is a great area to visit for families, take photos,
learn some history, step where many of the most famous people have the 19th and
20th century walked. You do not always have to go far from
home to have a great time. There are many other towns along
the Hudson River Valley on both sides of the river like Piermont….but that is a
story for another day. Get out and explore!
Hello world....welcome to the first blog for "JPKC....The World As I See It"! We are happy you found us. Come back often and enter into the dialog on life, food, gardening, travel, music, entertainment and other topics. And just maybe, some political views too. In case you're worried about the politics I am totally independent of any political party. If I had to declare a party it would be the Common Sense Party.
Our goal is to inform, entertain, encourage you to explore the world and all it has to offer and give you food for thought.
